となりにオヤジと若い女が座っている。朝っぱらから何やっているんだろうと思いながらコーヒーを啜った。

オヤジは女に黒と白の水玉模様の袋にピンクのリボンを掛かったプレゼントを渡している。

女はありがとうなんて言いながら次のプレゼントをねだっている。

嫌悪感が湧いてくる。

それはオヤジに対したモノなのか、それともプレゼントをもらっている女への嫉妬心を抱えている私へのモノなのかは私にはわからない。

オヤジが去り、週刊誌を広げている女の将来が気になっている私はもうすでにそういった年頃ではなくなったんだな、と心淋しく思った。

日本に帰ってくるたびに私は浦島太郎状態である。

何年かに一度の帰国。

私は全く変わらないのに周りが変わっていく。

私は誰、ここはどこ状態である。

慣れし故郷を求め、日本を堪能しに帰って来ているわけではない。

やはり私の居場所はないんだな、という確認の為の訪問である。

未だに認める事のできない、自己確認であるに過ぎない。

Boise State Broncos win again!

I think it was one of the first games I watched from beginning to end. I was glued to the screen the whole time.

The first quarter resulted in two touchdowns and lots of cheering.

You could see the V-tech fans holding their own face with anxiety written all over it.

We had already had three beers each at that point out of pure joy and happiness.

Then the second quarter and the third quarter happened...

Next thing you know, V-tech was ahead of us and we had 5 more minutes left till the game was over.

Our living room had about 15 people in it and nobody said a word.

I kept praying under my breath.

"Touch down... Touch down... All we need is a touch down!"

My wish was granted and Boise State had a touch down one minute before the game was over.

We were now 3 points ahead...

All I was worried about was that we scored too soon that V-tech might have a chance to launch out another touch down.

They threw a long throw and missed the catch.

That was their only chance to recover from our previous touch down.

The game was over and we had won the opening game of the season to Virginia Tech.

What a great night. I hope we make it to the National Championship!

Post Dream Bike Purchase:

I AM IN LOVE!!!

My new black Beauty is a hand crafted Nishiki bike by Kuwamura and has the most amazing handle bar grip.

The pink clear grip hasn't been produced in the United States since the 70's and Jimmy from the Boise Bicycle Project used the last one he had on a special bike.

My bike left the BBP with lots of ahhs and wows.

If you see a girl riding around Boise screaming "I love my bike!!", it is probably me.

I stopped by Boise Bicycle Project today. It was my first experience there.

I walked in expecting to run into my dream bike and walk out.

Unfortunately, there was only four bikes there and they were by far not even close to what I pictured in my mind before I left my house.

I was disapointed. I did a test ride with one of the options and it was a smooth ride, but still not "The one".

As I was about to lose all hope, the manager told me that I can take a look at some bikes that are about go on sale.

It was then and there, I met "The One". It was a Nishiki bike.

It had a slim body with beautiful tires. And the handle bars was just a give away.

It had a slick black color to it and it the handle bars had grip tape on it that looked like fruit roll ups.

I can't wait to go pick it up!