I am sitting here in Dad's home office, sunburnt (aka soon to be tanned), and taking some time to update my iPod for the long trip tomorrow. My clothes and books and various camera parts are laid out on the guest room bed because I know if I pack my suitcases, Dad will unpack and then repack them to his own personal specifications. Happens everytime.

Called the various family members to remind them of my departure tomorrow morning. Friends have convinced me not to cancel my trip despite the extreme nervousness I have been feeling because, apparently, all will work out. And also, I have been told that heroin is better than valium. Who knew?

The dog knows something is up as she has been following me around most of the day, watching me move things. Or she merely enjoys watching the neighbour's kids out the window. Can't be quite sure....

So, all that is left is to pack my bags, find my passport, fill out some medical forms, and then head to the airport at the ungodly hour of 6am to go to Dallas, and, from there, Tokyo/Narita. I haven't quite wrapped my head around the fact that I will leave Tuesday morning and arrive wednesday afternoon. How the hell am I going to survive 14 hours on a plane? I wonder if smuggling valium on an international flight is considered a felony....

Is it sad to hope that when I arrive I will meet a small Japanese woman waving a sign with my name on it? Or perhaps, in a very surreal sense, it will be like arriving in Hawaii- only instead of being greeted with leis it will be...sushi or something. Maybe? No?

Ah, now the dad has people over for finger foods and wine,must make the small talk.

It is quite possible that the next time this blog is updated, I will be in Japan.

Lord help those Asians, Nikki is a-coming....