Sounds pleasant, Laura.

Good luck, Dana.

Had a great lunch visit with newish friend, and we made plans to get together before we left so we wouldn't wait eight months again, ha! Plus, we met in a playwriting class and then ended up in the same acting class and totally hit it off, so we are going to be writing accountability partners.

brenda, your trip sounds fantastic! And with people you enjoy as well. I'm so glad you get some extra time there.

Otter cafe beats stroller owls

The beautiful thing is, they apparently coexist without strife

It's a wonderland of small predators! I don't know how I missed going to fox island while I was here.

BABY PIG CAFE!!!!

The piglets were cute with their bristles and waggy tails and snoots and little trot.

I enjoyed the otters more, though, I have to say.

Had a great lunch visit with newish friend, and we made plans to get together before we left so we wouldn't wait eight months again, ha! Plus, we met in a playwriting class and then ended up in the same acting class and totally hit it off, so we are going to be writing accountability partners.

I love that for you! And sj's new lunch companion too. It's tricky making new friends as we get older.

Today's my last day in Japan, and I'm in no flurry or hurry to go do something I'm afraid I've missed. Rather I'm probably just going to go to my favorite places, and get some travel gifts out of the capsule toy machines.

Back in November I bought tix for a sketchfest event where Peaches Christ (local drag legend) would be interviewing Tim Curry live. Then belatedly realized I'd be in Japan for the event (which is tonight).

So then I thought, well I'll give the tickets to Nicole who's housesitting for me, as she's a gender-blurry gal in a drag king troupe who would appreciate that. But I couldn't find the tickets in my email or my phone, and didn't have time to deal with the box office before I left.

But just like magic I got a prompting email from Sketchfest that said, "Hey, your event is coming up. Here's your tickets!" And I was able to transfer them to her, and she's going tonight.

Hooray for Nicole getting to use your tickets!

yeah, that's pretty cool. wish I could travel more.

That worked out nicely, then!

I’m glad the tickets worked out, Hec. Have a safe trip back tomorrow.

Brenda, I hope you enjoy the play. Cymbeline is one I haven’t seen live.

What are everyone else’s plans for the weekend?

Today I went to Detroit’s Eastern Market with my sister and BiL, where I discovered there’s a wine maker in Ypsilanti. I wonder if Aimee knows. Afterwards we went to the Detroit boat show where I saw a waterskiing squirrel. And a lot of boats. But the squirrel is what I’ll probably remember this time next week. Tomorrow I’m going to church with my sister, meeting up with the cat sitter to show her the setup, and then picking up a book for a new-to-me book group. It’s part my effort to meet people who aren’t related to me.

Newish friends! New book club! These are wonderful things that I need to do more of.

I am sat in the (very extremely nice) United club and trying not to eat or drink too much before my flight, where they will also be plying me with fine food and drink. (I’m having the cod.) Flight leaves at 9 PM so I’m hopeful I will actually manage to get some sleep (and I have a very mild gummy in my pocket to help that along).

Land at 11 head to my hotel, and figure out what to do from there. The Turner Prize finalists are on display at the Tate so that is a must, and right near the hotel. Or i may venture further out, depending.

Monday I’m on my own and then Tuesday it’s a full swing of meetings until Friday noon. My two presentations are Thursday so I’ll have time to prepare.

My boss wants to go to the Tate so i could do that with her Saturday. I honestly prefer some museums on my own but we’ll see.

It’s very nice to be off on an adventure!