She always has exactly one can of beer each evening, like clockwork, always pouring about a third of it into a separate glass that goes to the butsudan so the spirits of those no longer with us can also catch a buzz.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Beer for the dead
I've been reading the Miyakonojo archives, and there is all kinds of good stuff in there, but I just came across this extraordinarily well crafted sentence (part of this post) and wanted to share it:
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4 comments:
I don't actually have any homies that have gone before (that I'm aware of, anyway), and I don't drink...I do, however, find the whole culture of drinking fascinating.
It does worry me sometimes, because I'm not sure I will be able to completely fit in anywhere due to my sobriety. In Japan, for example, everyone bonds by going out for beers. If/when I move there, it might be harder for me to make friends.
But I do sing karaoke, so that might help...
You know, a lot of people go out for beers in America to bond as well. :>
And tying one on for someone that's passed isn't so unusual. When Lee passed, we got Ben, Steve, me, and Dan together to drink in memory of him. Even poured a screwdriver for him. Drained it on the road - seemed fitting, as that's where he spent most of his life (not literally on MY road, mind. ;>). Took some goofy pictures mimicing what we did when he was down here.
I'd hope that everyone'd drink one for me when I go.
AJ, yes, I do know, and that's why I said "completely fit in anywhere". I think I've pretty much given up on being able to fit into American culture.
;)
Actually, I'm pretty lucky here because I can generally find people who will be accepting of whatever floats my boat. I am seriously concerned about how it will go in Japan, though, because everyone drinks there. It's just what you do.
slackv, yeah...I need to get over some of my issues with people who are drinking. I am usually uncomfortable around drunk people. (They tend to talk slower and say the same things over and over, and they're also highly emotional, and I have trouble figuring out how I'm supposed to act. I can't relate to them at all, so I just nod and smile, but that gets very old very fast.) If I can just get over that and be able to hang out with people while they're getting drunk, then maybe I won't have as much trouble making friends in Japan as I am expecting.
Sometimes I think I should just give up on being sober and have drinks with people, but alcoholism runs in my family and I have seen indications in other areas of my life that I have an addictive personality, so I would really rather not risk it.
Plus, I am something of a control freak, and the thought of losing myself and doing something I'll regret later bothers me. I would prefer to make my mistakes while my head is perfectly clear. This is because I hate making mistakes, so limiting the chances that I will make them is a good thing.
I am also very proud about my honor (e.g., I will do my damnedest to be honorable and to prove that I am honorable). Because of this I will admit to mistakes at the drop of a hat, and I would rather my mistakes have more reason behind them than "I was sooooo drunk".
"I was soooo drunk" is usually a precursor to, "I'm a little pregnant."
I wish that worked for everyone! I'd go get drunk right now!
;>
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