• Artist
• Lover
• Doctor
• Teacher
• Student
• Husband
• Father
• Inventor
• Salary Man
• Child
• Perfectionist

• the more you sweat the more you get
• activity means productivity
• efficiency means effectiveness
• burn the midnight oil
• the best way to get the job done is to do it yourself
• the easy way is the best way
• hard work is virtuous
• work is not fun
• there is only one best way
• more discipline means less freedom
• justice for all
• we work best under pressure

For a more detailed report, see Eriko’s blog. On Saturday, we rode the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, but at lunch time. The food was good, the company was a bit different (an older lesbian couple), and the few wasn’t bad (we were on the east side of the train when the view of the lake was on the west side). Columbia Winery was neat and I enjoyed one of the three wines that I tasted. Eriko became a little sick due to the motion of the train (which rocked at slow speeds) and that we were facing backwards on the return trip. All things considered, it was a nice train ride.
This morning we slept in, but woke up just in time to catch a bus destined for a park near Lake Washington. There we were able to attend the final day of Seafair. We arrived as the Blue Angels were performing and although we didn’t get to see much of their performance, we saw enough to dazzle. The boat races were a little confusing and boring – I couldn’t tell who was in the lead, where the track was, or even what lap they were on (or how many in total). The highlight, for me, was the biplane propeller acrobatics. A single plane, a troupe of four planes, and a custom-built single plane were all quite amazing to watch. Especially the last two, in which Eriko and I had great seats by the lake. Afterwards, we each took a nap before meeting my co-worker Todd and his girlfriend/ex-wife/future-fiancee Miki. Miki is native Japanese and spent about half her life in Japan, so she and Eriko were able to converse naturally. They looked at our wedding photos and nice conversation was had by all. Either because of the naps or the large amount of sugar content (desert was spectacular) we are up late. We both read, talked, and used the computer. We have a great lead on ballet and tea ceremony schools, which Eriko would like to continue. I’ll call tomorrow.

If I’m not dilligent about this, then I forget; for now, just the highlights.

• Monday - we spent 2 hours at the social security office where we found out that we would have to wait 4 weeks for Eriko's SSN. Then we went to uwajimaya on the (round-about) way home and in the eveing I brought Bailey to Aaron's house.
• Tuesday - we went to uwajimaya and the japanese bookstore and then we waited around the house for our new mattress. After that, we walked around QA and ate some ice cream.
• Wednesday - a very hectic day; we went to Bainbridge Island via bus/ferry and then found out the trip was more exciting than the island. We went to my favorite Indian restaraunt in the evening to celebrate my birthday.
• Thursday - we went to the Woodland Zoo but Eriko wasn't feeling well and so we came home early and she took a nap until some things arrived from her mother. In the evening we jogged around QA and then walked our route, it was quite pleasant and nice exercise.
• Friday - the exercise must have tired us out, as we had a late morning. I went to work for about 3 hours (leadership training program) and then we checked out the library in the internation district (Eriko rented two books) and bought some things at uwajimaya.

In the evenings, Eriko usually reads her book on the couch. I either read a book with her, play on the computer, or watch TV. The nightly shower starts about 9; Eriko spends about an hour in the bathroom before it is my turn.

Be gentle with Bailey.

We arrived in Seattle about 2 PM and quickly discovered that the airlines had misplaced Eriko’s luggage. This was a bit of a downer and after the shuttle ride and a little house tour, we headed off to Fred Meyer to buy some clothes, supplies, and food. Eriko made dinner, which was pretty exciting for me. It was quite different from my normal tastes, but good. The shock of being together, without romance to fill the silence, made for a long night. Bailey came into the house (I opened the window because I was hot) and Eriko was quite unhappy. We survived, though. In the morning, things were very cool until Melissa & company arrived and we could focus on someone else (Matthew) besides each other. Eriko’s luggage arrived, Aaron agreed to take Bailey (although the transfer has yet to take place), and we all spent a relaxing day around the house. Trader Joe stuff for lunch, Red Robin for dinner. The evening was long again, but shorter than the previous. We both had trouble sleeping and didn’t get out of bed until late. Eriko had a list of items to be retrieved – towels, bath mat, cleaning supplies, conditioner, and more. We went to the bank and then to Target; we were able to procure almost everything on her list. A short visit to home so I could eat (more Trader Joe stuff) and then we were off to the Japanese bookstore so Eriko could pick up a romance novel she had seen advertised in the Seattle monthly Japanese magazine. Back home, Eriko made dinner while I entered receipts into the computer. Then we took the bus downtown so Eriko could find a keychain wallet. After about 30 minutes at Macy’s, we had to call off the search so we could watch the annual Seafair parade. We found a decent spot and Eriko really enjoyed the bands and other musical floats. After about a 100 vehicles, we were tired and ready for home. A short wait for the bus, a short ride, and we were back in a warm (but not too warm) condo. I was hungry again (TJ’s) and then we read our respective books and I played on the computer. Sleep was difficult for Eriko, but much more so for me. I never really seemed to fall asleep, just drifted from minute to minute until it was time to wake up. Eriko made breakfast and then checked her email/wrote in her diary while I watched ‘Meet the Press’. Now she cleans the house. Soon, we will go looking for a new bed (or mattress, at least) as the current one is no good for two people. I’d also like to purchase a laptop, but I haven’t decided whether to go Apple or Linux. If Bailey is around this evening, then I’m hoping Aaron and I can get together. Bailey has actually adjusted very quickly to not being allowed inside the house, although she is less comfortable with me – I have been bit and scratched more in the last two days than I was in the previous six months. Eriko is biting less, though.