When the Band Finished Playing They Held Up the Bar

Well, the week finally drew to a close, and I have had the luxury of these two days to recuperate and take it easy in preparation for similarly hectic weeks from here on. On Saturday I wondered into Sakai, and in the Oasis21 centre observed some event going on which involved lots of dancing - good fun to watch, though my camera seemed to fail at crucial snapping-type moments. There is also a temporary skating rink set up, which again I would describe as pleasant to look at but probably not something I'll be using. After a quick(ish) trip (or two) to the Jump Shop and NHK Character Shop, I was on my way homeward, but accidentally (more denial) ended up going via Osu Kannon. However, through some unknown providence I managed to resist the temptation to buy anything.

Sunday was much the same kind of affair it always is (though it was only five in the afternoon when I started this entry - who knows if other complications will arise later?) - laundry, food shopping, homework gradually getting done, and this week watching Poirot to help the time pass! Many of my housemates have been on a trip this weekend, so it's been very quiet around the community room and kitchen.

Something that occupied a fair bit of my attention this weekend was Christmas presents. Slowly but surely I'm acquiring items that will hopefully amuse my nearest and dearest and won't be too difficult to get home. Of course, I don't mind parting with money for this purpose, but the fact that I have been spending made me realise that I am only now getting to the end of the hundred-thousand yen I came to this country with - considering all the one-off setting-things-up-type expenses I think that's not a bad amount of time to make that money last.

One troupe of dancers I saw on Saturday. They danced to "Smooth Criminal."