Set:Country Honk
Under My Thumb
Dead Flowers
Purple Rain
Top of the World
Since I am hoping to play music at Sloppy Joe's about once every two weeks, I'm going to keep a record of what I play and any memorable goings on. Sloppy Joe's has quickly become a mecca of sorts for me. I've had an amazing time every time I've gone there, and made some nice friends. I really want the owner to like me or at least not mind me, so I can practice my open mic sets without annoying him too much.
It was a pretty crazy night. Jesse and I had a nice time over some oishi eats at a little sushi etc. Restaurant. A woman that I was supposed to help with English was working. She seemed very nice, but I'm not sure if she wants me to work with her or not.
Alicia joined us and we met up with her eikiwa group at Sloppy Joe's. I made the owner and the bartendress, Maria, mix cds. I had forgotten my jacket the last time, which I felt pretty bad about. Twas the least I could do . I put "The Final Countdown" as the first song which made Jesse and Alicia laugh.
"Tequilla Guy" was there. He's a flamboyant genki hot mess of a man. He bought a bottle of tequilla and practically tried to shove it down my throat. He continually told me that I shouldn't eat it with a lime. I absolutely fucking hate it when people say that. Why is it better to drink something that tastes like ass?
This guy doesn't let you stop drinking, and normally that's a good thing for me, because it's on him. I didn't want to be too tight for my songs, so I stopped at two shots (and I had already had about five beers). Alicia stopped at about five and had a rough night. I felt really bad for her. She was having so much fun, then it sort of just stopped. Happens to the best of us.
Yuko and Yuki were there. Though their easy to tell apart, I can never remember who is who. There are lots of Yukos, Yukis, Yukas, Yokos in Japan. In all honesty, I can't sort the names and faces out. I'm usually pretty good with that, but here, it's just absurdly difficult. Getting better, though.
My songs went well. My voice has dramatically improved this week, and song selection helps a lot. I still can't hit the high notes. "Dead Flowers" is like the most fun song ever to play. "Country Honk" is pretty sweet also. I dedicated "Purple Rain" to Maria, but for some reason she didn't really talk to me last night. I was disappointed because I sort of fancied her.
But I think I sort of fancy Yuko now. We slow danced at the end of the night. We talked very closely also and had several tequilla shots. She's much more bold than most of the Japanese women I've met. Not afraid to call me out on things. Likes good music. Nice to slow dance with, ha. "Master" the owner of Sloppy Joe's told me that I should have held her tighter when we slow danced--that I was too shy. I guess I was dancing Junior High style.
The tide has turned so much. It's crazy to think about how much happier I am now than I was a month ago. Or even a couple weeks ago. Jesse, Anne, and Alicia are big helps. Matt and Sam too. They feel like real friends to me, and I'm finally not so self-conscious around them. I guess that's the key. I'm being myself. That old addage from the second grade is true.
The thoughts that are complicating my mind are how long I want to stay here. To think I could actually live in Odate for three years is a bit mindblowing. Things like this really make you remember that your life and your age is sort of on a map and needs to be thought out. It's easy when you're stuck in a little hometown or even a big city to forget that plans need to be made.
Ok, enough. Thank god for Sloppy Joe's and rock and roll.
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