Ten years ago today I found true love when I wasn't even looking for it. I offer the following story to encourage romantics and fools everywhere and also as a warning to anyone who thinks that playing it cool is the best way to go.
Kobe, Japan. April 6, 2001
I had a feeling it was going to be a good night. You see, I love cherry blossoms. There are quite a few things Japan about which foreign observers are fond of waxing idiotic (see: Bushido, gaman, tea ceremony, etc.) and I had already grown quite cynical about most of them. Cherry blossoms, on the other hand, I've never been cynical about them. Maybe it's because I moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. when I was but a lad of 6 and grew up in a town know for its cherry blossoms. Maybe it's because I quit my first job in Japan just before cherry blossom season and I spent that uncertain time traversing the Kansai area seeing a host of famous hanami (Flower-viewing) spots at a time that my soul was in a state of great uncertainty, but for whatever reason, I have never been even in the least bit cynical about cherry blossoms. They simply fill my heart with joy. They always have and they still do to this very day. So I was excited.
Plus, my good friend Jim told me that I would be allowed to start one of the fires for the barbecue.
I have a thing about starting fires. I'm really good at it and I love to do it. Most people can't get a proper barbecue fire started for crap, but I really am a master at it. One match, no lighter fluid (do you really want to taste that crap in your meal?) and I can still guarantee a blistering hot, hardwood glowing coal (no briquettes here, thank you) fire within twenty minutes. I'm just that good. I really love it too.
Oh, yeah, and I'd heard from my friend Jim that Kumiko's hot friend might come. I'd heard a lot about Kumiko's hot friend. I had no idea what I'd do if Kumiko's hot friend did show up, but I thought it would at least be nice to see her after hearing so much about her.