bragging rights
I'm back on the bike after a week without. And, wouldn't ya know it, in the interrum all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Now the bike lanes are littered with debris and, in spots, PILES of leaves that the city sees unfit to take care of. Worse, there are several spots on my route now freckled with broken glass. Is it not someone's JOB to keep streets clean? It makes me mad when I have to swerve into traffic or risk impaling my tubes.

Nevertheless, a nice, chill bike ride home under a clear thumbnail moon is the perfect way to clear my head. I really don't enjoy riding the bus at all. Talking to/ smelling/ sitting in close proximity of perfect strangers just isn't my cup o' tea.

My ride home today nearly rid me of a pounding headache I've had since near noon. I volunteered at tha campus "study abroad fair," and stayed for all FIVE HOURS of it even though the Japan table had more than its share of volunteers. But when they said they'd be playing some international music in the background, I didn't expect the place to boom like a friggin' disco. It was quite overstimulating. Rather reminded me of being in Japan.

Is anyone else excited for Thanksgiving? Normally I could give or take, but as I didn't have one last year (save for a bout of unprecedented gluttony at an American-style buffet in the Ginza) and I've something special planned this year, I'm getting all giddy.

Justin and I are flying to Washington, D.C. next Wednesday to meet & greet his relatives. There will be much schmoozing, eating, and drinking all on someone else's very generous tab. I feel quite priveliged (we're staying at the Park Hyatt, woo!) and very grateful, but most of all I'm excited to see the Speyers in their "natural setting." (Except Tim, who I assume will be as a duck out of water.)

As for tonight and today, I've several Japanese assignments to study and then it's off with me to the Eugene Weblogger's meetup.