Let it ride...
I found myself much more optimistic today after an actual eight hours of sleep. Despite a full day and no down time, my eyes were actually open today instead of shaded by pessimism and frustration. I poked my head down alleys I had never before seen. I found a delicious looking and affordable thai restaurant as well as several jazz cafes and bars I'd like to visit in Takadanobaba. I browsed thigh-high boots near the station.

Though, after all I did today (research work, part-time job, workout, study) I didn't get back to Shinjuku until after 7PM, I stopped in to Odakyu Halc Foods store and bought my host father a $15 Chilean Cabernet, some tasty crackers (although they haven't quite the selection here as they do in the states) and a loaf of $7 peppered, pure-cream cheese from France.

It seems Christmas comes early to Japan. The upper-crust department and grocery stores are already adorned with bells, angel wings and signs bidding everyone (in English) to have a Merry Christmas. Tokyo Disney apparently experiences its busiest season during the holidays (another indicator of the positive weather yet to come!) and has started advertising for Christmas tickets pretty much everywhere. If I recall correctly, Christmas in the states doesn't start until AFTER Thanksgiving. Or maybe I'm wrong. In any case, the pre-pre-pre spectacle I'm already seeing in Tokyo has me nervous and excited for the holiday rush. I'm looking forward to seeing it (especially because I already finished 90% of my holiday shopping) but I think it just might make me sick.

Thankfully, my biggest worry today was that I won't get to see Matrix Revolutions until AFTER opening day. Because it's being released simultaneously worldwide, it came out here 11PM today (Wednesday). Wednesday is also "Radii-dai" (Ladies' Day) and means a discount from Y1500 to Y1000. Joy of expensive joys. With this in mind, I will probably wait until next Wednesday to see it when it will be out at normal times. Sadly, if I were in the states, a 11PM release would be a non-issue even if I had an early class. I just can't afford to miss any more sleep here though. However, I may also find I can't wait until next Weds to see. It if everyone starts ranting and raving about the movie I will probably lose my mind.

Then again, I may be working next Wednesday. June's Modeling called me again today about a job. Another TV part but this time for a dramatic recreation show... the kind that seem to be so popular here in the afternoons. There are several female roles available, including the main part (another sort of villainess) so I have a better chance of getting something.

The downside of working for this agency is that they immediately ask you if you can for sure take the job but only give you the general date/dates. I have NO FREE DAYS except the weekends when classes and my English conversation job are considered. Therefore, I have to either say "no" to every non-time-specific job or say yes and change everything else around IF I GET THE JOB. That's also what stinks... saying "yes" to work and then being called back only if you're wanted.

Anyway, next week's job is a bit of a gamble. It's two to three days of filming somewhere from Tuesday to Friday. I decided to say yes off the bat for several reasons. The first is, I'm willing to make it work by pre-arranging my absences (we NEVER do anything useful in class anyway... this is, after all, college) and rescheduling my English job. The work doesn't pay THAT well; only about $150 for eight hours work but a) I doubt it will be hard, b) I suppose it will be FUN-tastic and interesting and c) regardless, 2-3 days of work is $300-$450 of money and THAT is a good chunk of my travel fund!

After I said "yes," I immediately freaked out. I'm a goody-goody when it comes to class performance and honoring obligations. How can I miss class?? Isn't it WRONG? No, I have to tell myself, I'm dissatisfied with the educational institution system anyway and class is a big, fat waste of my time and money anyway. I might as well spend a few days doing something different and, in its own way, productive. It won't harm anything because I'll still get done all my homework and only have to worry about minor Japanese-class quizzes.

I said yes because I had to say yes then... if I hadn't let it be a spur-of-the-moment thing, I would have had to say no. Besides, I figure I won't get a part anyway. I don't think I can look evil.

Eh, well, it's worth a try.