By W.T. WIMPY HIROTO
I don’t know about you nice people, but CR2S sits down in front of his computer when there is nothing better or worse to do. Often the opposite (quick-like, figure that out). This can be explained in many ways: temporarily out of reading material; taking a sudoku/crossword puzzle break; prep before leg/arm exercises; initial step deciding next week’s column; it’s the most comfortable seat in my abode.
I used to do the same when the contraption in front of me was a standard Royal typewriter. I guess that’s what’s called habitual. Or describing a guy who doesn’t engage in social media … or social people.
Current setting: I’m listening to Pandora ($36 a year, Andy Russell singing “What a Difference a Day Makes”) while settling in to write the initial Crossroads to Somewhere (CR2S) for Year of the Horse 2014. And since we always play it straight with readers, it’s the 25th afternoon of last month and I’m popping M&Ms while listening, contemplating and thinking. Multi-tasking, I think they call it these days.
Since we’re pretty certain this will not be a serious endeavor, let’s start right off letting you know my tummy hurts. Okay, what’s next in importance? I’ve (finally) got an appointment to see an EENT to see if malfunctioning sinuses are the cause of current woes. My rent has gone up 3%. I’m pretty sure I will never have to buy toothpaste, toothbrush or facial tissues ever again. A couple of good friends aren’t doing too well and two others have had temporary setbacks. Sad. A while back there were nine L.A. Times obituaries, five were JAs. Unfair. I’ve been to five (5) funerals in the past two (2) months. Challenging.
Okay, enuf already. Random commentary and thought to roil the juices:
I was in animated conversation with a forty-something-year-old the other day when it hit me smack in the grill: When I was her age Century Boulevard ran past 20th Century Fox studio lot, which would be the site of the (first) Century Plaza Hotel. There was no Century City, only mounds of dirt. And this is the 21st century, yes? Lesson: Don’t talk with anyone forty-something years old …
Attentive readers will remember my complaint regarding the sudden loss (again) of Time/Warner cable Channel 938. From Big Band one night, it went south to Mexican mariachis without warning or ear plugs. A frantic search eventually found a new channel, Singers and Songs (Ch 947). I realize there are only a very few who are interested, but what the hey, Sentimental is my middle name. And then my guys gifted me with something called a Sound Bar that greatly enhances music coming out of the TV. Almost like sitting in on a jazz session. CR2S is in harmonic heaven! But not quite ready for the real thing …
Some readers have registered concern I’ve been making much too much of death and dying lately. Never was a scout but being prepared always made sense to me. Whether a test final, job interview or eating a lobster. The more mature (older) you get, the less to confront, ergo the past becomes larger. I lost a wonderful wife to Alzheimer’s when she was 63; she officially died 14 years later. I lost my eldest son, a brother. All of my best friends. I once had four (4) brothers-in-law. Nothing morbid or maudlin, merely stating the facts.
Which explains why I openly wonder why I’m still hanging around. A reason/purpose? Just hope the final year(s) will be a memorable …
Unfortunately, Keiro being in flux will negatively impact overall charitable giving to all JA non-profits. It shouldn’t. And there are some people who should know better, wondering about “some people making money out of the situation.” Actually, it’s a case of us being so good at what we do, the world around us implodes. Welfare was never an Issei consideration, tanomoshi was the way out, or simply gutting it out. Nisei never “gamed” the system until advised. Everybody began to do it, so it became the norm. Legal, but a shame. There’s a simple reason why Little Tokyo Towers lost its original identity …
Reminds me of when I was preparing my own Army discharge papers. Having accumulated three months sick leave (thirty days for every year), there was an authorized cash payout because I was never sick. AWOL, but never ill. I left it on the table. Dumb? Today, yeah, but in ’49 the honorable thing (for any Nisei) to do . . .
Interesting Tidbit: USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian’s wife is Stephanie (nee Yamamoto). They have three pre-teen children, two girls and a boy. High school sweethearts from West Torrance High days …
Now it’s New Year’s Eve and I’m wondering if Michael Bolton’s singing Honda ads came anywhere close to the record number of Dodge cars Ron Burgundy’s faux auto advertisements accounted for? Simply amazing …
—
W.T. Wimpy Hiroto can be reached at williamhiroto@att.net Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.