Stopped off for some donuts for breakfast, then hit the dojo.
Had a good group of 12 in the morning and we dove right in, starting the seminar by running through the basics then going right into the first 5 seated kata set, goyo. Everyone picked it up quick and after a carnitas burrito lunch we got into the first 5 standing kata set, go-o. Tony went to pick up Hoshina-san at the airport and got to the dojo in time to catch to last couple of hours of practice. We finished off the day by pairing up with wooden swords and running through the ten kata again, checking distance and strike positions. Everyone seemed to enjoy bonking each other in new and excitingly painful ways, and by 5 pm we were all tired and ready for food.
We changed and headed out for some Italian seafood, where the plates of pasta were as big as my chest. Tony opened the bottle of Suimoken sake and we finished it off in only a couple of rounds. James Williams sat next to Hoshina-san and freaked her out a bit when he was talking about Systema by whipping out his giant tactical folding knife and pressing it into his arm ("slice = cut, pressure alone won't cut").
After James and Hoshina-san each finished off a bowl of vanilla icecream, Hoshina-san and I were beat, so we headed back to the motel and the rest of them keep cranking at the bar until the wee hours.
chop chop
Slept like a bear in winter and woke up to a beautiful California day, Tony standing in the doorway with bagels and OJ.
Te gang came over and we started cutting in Tony's backyard. Tony and all practiced their Toyama-ryu cuts, and I did some decent (and many failed) cuts from a seated draw. (Un)fortunately it's all on tape. Ted also came over and, besides being thoroughly entertaining, shimmed and tighthened up my cutting blade.
the Sacramento brothers-plus-wife were in fine form, thanks to a healthy dose of post-airplane-seizure Motrin, and Jimmy Crow from Texas avoided backyard garden hole-digging duty by doing his best Cowboy Samurai impression. We even had a lunchbreak GQ cutting visit by none other than the long-haired fashion man himself.
The afternoon was spent getting ready for the drive down to San Diego; we grabbed more Mexican for lunch (I am now a carnitas burrito addict), I shipped my snowboard back to Toyko, we bought beverages and packed up the necessary stuff. To avoid traffic we opted for a late leave, so we watched the cutting video from the morning, made fun of each other, then watched The Seige of Firebase Gloria, starring none other than Lee Ermey, who's oratory ability is second-to-none: (To a troop of US marines surrounded by enemy Viet-Cong) "There is no doubt in my mind that we are in a deep-shit situation here, people."
After the movie we hit the road and got down to Motel in just over an hour.
Tony and I headed over to the Dojo of the Four Winds to finalize some details, and then we hit Denny's for a late dinner before crashing.
Te gang came over and we started cutting in Tony's backyard. Tony and all practiced their Toyama-ryu cuts, and I did some decent (and many failed) cuts from a seated draw. (Un)fortunately it's all on tape. Ted also came over and, besides being thoroughly entertaining, shimmed and tighthened up my cutting blade.
the Sacramento brothers-plus-wife were in fine form, thanks to a healthy dose of post-airplane-seizure Motrin, and Jimmy Crow from Texas avoided backyard garden hole-digging duty by doing his best Cowboy Samurai impression. We even had a lunchbreak GQ cutting visit by none other than the long-haired fashion man himself.
The afternoon was spent getting ready for the drive down to San Diego; we grabbed more Mexican for lunch (I am now a carnitas burrito addict), I shipped my snowboard back to Toyko, we bought beverages and packed up the necessary stuff. To avoid traffic we opted for a late leave, so we watched the cutting video from the morning, made fun of each other, then watched The Seige of Firebase Gloria, starring none other than Lee Ermey, who's oratory ability is second-to-none: (To a troop of US marines surrounded by enemy Viet-Cong) "There is no doubt in my mind that we are in a deep-shit situation here, people."
After the movie we hit the road and got down to Motel in just over an hour.
Tony and I headed over to the Dojo of the Four Winds to finalize some details, and then we hit Denny's for a late dinner before crashing.
behind the orange curtain
Jorge drove me down to Orange County and dropped me off at BigTony's place. He lives about a mile from the beach. Tony hooked me up big time with some really slick Volcom snow gear, including a board! We got in his truck and ran some errands, grabbing a Happy Burrito for lunch.
In the evening we headed over to Don Angier's dojo and worked out a bit, then all his guys showed up and they had a Toyama-ryu practice. I finished them off with about 30 minutes of Mugairyu as a warm-up for the weekend seminar.
Then we all headed out to TGIF's for dinner and waiter-abuse as Don, despite his best attempts, failed to receive a slice of onion for his burger as requested.
Ted Arnold joined for dinner and I was introduced to the full voracity of everyone's good-natured joke-flinging.
In the evening we headed over to Don Angier's dojo and worked out a bit, then all his guys showed up and they had a Toyama-ryu practice. I finished them off with about 30 minutes of Mugairyu as a warm-up for the weekend seminar.
Then we all headed out to TGIF's for dinner and waiter-abuse as Don, despite his best attempts, failed to receive a slice of onion for his burger as requested.
Ted Arnold joined for dinner and I was introduced to the full voracity of everyone's good-natured joke-flinging.
to la!
First a quick stop at Daly City for an In-and-Out Burger, finished off with a Krispy Kreme donut, then we were on our way speeding down the 5 in our shiny Budget rental van. The girls all slept some, with Hiroko unconscious for most of the drive down. We got into Hollywood in the evening and checked into the guest rooms at Jeremy's mom's apartment building, the Doheny Plaza just off of Sunset. Jeremy came by in his 2Mecha Audi and we grabbed some dinner up the street.
nappa valley
59 degrees F in San Francisco, and the temperature started rising as we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and into the valley. 80 degrees in the east bay, 92 when we finally got in to Nappa. By now my shoulders were nicely reddened from the open sunroof and clear blue skies, but a little sunburn can't stop us.
First we stopped at Bouchon for a French lunch, the took some photos outside of French Laundry. Same chef runs both places, but French Laundry takes reservations a year in advance and you still might not get in, so settled for just taking photos. Then we headed deeper into wine country and checked out the cool architecture of Clos Pegase, took a tour of the caves and tasted some dessert wine at Beringer Vineyards, and saw the cooking theatre and corkscrew collection at the Culinary Institute of America.
We came back into the city and for dinner went to Elisabeth and Daniel. We opted for the five course dinner instead of the ten course because we didn't want to be there all night. My wheat 'risotto' with mushrooms was the winner of the evening, and I won't even bother trying to explain how good it tasted because unless you eat it you just won't know.
This morning we're getting a van and driving down to LA for more fun and sun.
First we stopped at Bouchon for a French lunch, the took some photos outside of French Laundry. Same chef runs both places, but French Laundry takes reservations a year in advance and you still might not get in, so settled for just taking photos. Then we headed deeper into wine country and checked out the cool architecture of Clos Pegase, took a tour of the caves and tasted some dessert wine at Beringer Vineyards, and saw the cooking theatre and corkscrew collection at the Culinary Institute of America.
We came back into the city and for dinner went to Elisabeth and Daniel. We opted for the five course dinner instead of the ten course because we didn't want to be there all night. My wheat 'risotto' with mushrooms was the winner of the evening, and I won't even bother trying to explain how good it tasted because unless you eat it you just won't know.
This morning we're getting a van and driving down to LA for more fun and sun.
oakland
Dinner was amazing, of course. And Kei-chan was Kei-chan. A bit goofy, but lots of fun. We ate at the late sitting, started about 9:15 and we were the last table in the place. Finally left about 11-something and drove around Oakland forever trying to find Kei-chan's hotel. It was down near past Jack London Square, but out closer to the airport so we had to drive past the waterfront industrial park and sort of got lost. Finally made it back home about 12:30 and Corrine was still working, finishing up some photo work for freelance job.
shopping
Still jet-lagging, but that just means Emi's early-morning antics didn't wake us up. Had a bagel from Rainbow (the hippie market) for breakfast and then went into the city to do some shopping. Hit Tiffany's but couldn't find the pendant Hiroko wants -- thought it was new but it turns out it's old and probably discontinued. Got a pair of linen slacks at the huge Banana Republic, and got Hiroko and slick blue dress for dinner tonight at the birthplace of California Cuisine, Chez Pannise.
sleepy...
Great big salads and great big Americans at The Cheesecake Factory. Eco shoes at Nordstroms. Emi likes french fries. San Francisco is cold when it's sunny. Whole Foods sells the freshest everything.
sfo
United flight #852 NRT to SFO. Upper deck seats. Hiroko watched Chicago, then slept. I watched Daredevil. Note to self: Ben Affleck should not wear full-body leather.
Arrived on time, got through immigration no problem (note to self: immigration agents speak Japanese better than I do), and then got to baggage claim:
"United Airlines would like to remind you that we do not operate the baggage carousels, they are operated by the city of San Francisco. Flight #852 baggage will arrive on carousel #5. Carousel #5 is currently broken, but please don't complain to United Airlines."
And then 20 minutes later: "Baggage from flight #852 is actually arriving on carousel #2."
Finally got our stuff, including my sword case, and then we got in line for customs. There were two whole customs agents, so each line was only 400 people long. Finally got through, found Jorge in the lobby, and sped the Audi to casa de Arriola.
Arrived on time, got through immigration no problem (note to self: immigration agents speak Japanese better than I do), and then got to baggage claim:
"United Airlines would like to remind you that we do not operate the baggage carousels, they are operated by the city of San Francisco. Flight #852 baggage will arrive on carousel #5. Carousel #5 is currently broken, but please don't complain to United Airlines."
And then 20 minutes later: "Baggage from flight #852 is actually arriving on carousel #2."
Finally got our stuff, including my sword case, and then we got in line for customs. There were two whole customs agents, so each line was only 400 people long. Finally got through, found Jorge in the lobby, and sped the Audi to casa de Arriola.
broken links
The astute reader will notice various broken links. Some of these are beyond my control. For whatever reason, Lee's evildrinkingpartners.com and Nate's mamachari.com don't seem to be working. Some of these are control within my control. Ren's Big Adventure is yet to be migrated over from the old twics file system to renfield.net.
These things will be fixed, in time. Or not.
Tomorrow Hiroko and I leave for California. We'll spend some time in SF with Jorge, Corr, and my God-daughter Emi, then all of us will rent a van and chug down to LA. I will immediately pop over to Big Tony's to do sword stuff in San Diego.
Then Hiroko goes home and I go on to Guelph, Ontario (Canada) to do even more sword stuff.
We will take many pictures, and have many adventures. And if you're lucky, you might even find out about 'em.
These things will be fixed, in time. Or not.
Tomorrow Hiroko and I leave for California. We'll spend some time in SF with Jorge, Corr, and my God-daughter Emi, then all of us will rent a van and chug down to LA. I will immediately pop over to Big Tony's to do sword stuff in San Diego.
Then Hiroko goes home and I go on to Guelph, Ontario (Canada) to do even more sword stuff.
We will take many pictures, and have many adventures. And if you're lucky, you might even find out about 'em.
quality by bystedt
Bystedt's family business, founded by the grandparentals, now run by his uncle, makes leather gloves. Get your own stuff!
I have a dream...
So we're flying in low orbit around a very Earth-like planet. We enter the atmosphere and are cruising above the barren terrain, getting closer and closer. As we fly over an impressive butte, the landscape changes to a typical suburb, then a small city. Just as we we're making a landing approach, we notice a helicopter parked on the crest of a cliff. Could be trouble. We land in a field on the outskirts of town and set off to explore. Very Earth-like. Humanoids abound. English is spoken. Suddenly we realize the uniformed are coming, and we scramble into the underground garage. We find a car that looks very much like a Mini and pile in. I'm driving. As we approach the exit toll booth, I realize I'm not sure what the strange square markings mean. From the lines on the ground it looks like I should be in the left lane, so I ease over, find the parking ticket behind the sun visor, and out we go.
We're now walking briskly through the back streets, working our way back to our ship, and I realize my baseball cap is sticking out like an alien visitor (which I am.) We stop at one of the many street vendor tent/booths and buy cheap winter coats. My companions go for yellow, but I opt for a mid-thigh length red number with matching backpack. I dump my spaceship uniform jacket, backpack, and baseball cap, being sure to empty the many pockets and transfer all the useful items to my new jacket; multihead screwdriver, white LED flashlight, etc. I pay with the local currency equivalent of 2000 yen (cheap!) and hurry around the corner to catch up with my fellow aliens. We finally make it to the field, board our ship, and accelerate to atmospheric escape velocity as the armed and helicopters circle the field below. Close call. As we enter and then leave orbit, sling-shotting away from the planet, warning lights on the ship's control panel begin beeping, beeping, beeping...I wake up and turn off my beeping alarm clock.
We're now walking briskly through the back streets, working our way back to our ship, and I realize my baseball cap is sticking out like an alien visitor (which I am.) We stop at one of the many street vendor tent/booths and buy cheap winter coats. My companions go for yellow, but I opt for a mid-thigh length red number with matching backpack. I dump my spaceship uniform jacket, backpack, and baseball cap, being sure to empty the many pockets and transfer all the useful items to my new jacket; multihead screwdriver, white LED flashlight, etc. I pay with the local currency equivalent of 2000 yen (cheap!) and hurry around the corner to catch up with my fellow aliens. We finally make it to the field, board our ship, and accelerate to atmospheric escape velocity as the armed and helicopters circle the field below. Close call. As we enter and then leave orbit, sling-shotting away from the planet, warning lights on the ship's control panel begin beeping, beeping, beeping...I wake up and turn off my beeping alarm clock.
"you all suck. remember that."
Didn't get any time to practice, as I lead basics and when Tanaka-sensei showed up I spent the whole practice teaching two newbies.
At 8:30 regular class ended and thankfully Niina-gosoke began his Hour of Power. We did the first form shin for over half an hour, with Gosoke correcting our angle, timing, and hip movement. Then we tried inchuyo, trying to get the parry-and-cut action right, which prompted the quote of the title. Gosoke used The Dowel (a thin dowel of wood the length of a sword -- lighter than a wooden sword so easy to carry all the time) to demonstrate that if we all tried to parry a real sword cutting down at our head, we'd all be dead, mostly from our own blade getting deflected into our own head. Then he used The Dowel again to show how, even if we managed to parry the attack, our counter-attack wasn't actually hitting the attacker's left abdomen, leaving us open to further pummeling.
After practice I collected Hoshina-san's sword and sai, went to the office to get the Pelican sword case, and dragged all that gear home on the subway, in preparation for the seminars in California and Canada next week.
At 8:30 regular class ended and thankfully Niina-gosoke began his Hour of Power. We did the first form shin for over half an hour, with Gosoke correcting our angle, timing, and hip movement. Then we tried inchuyo, trying to get the parry-and-cut action right, which prompted the quote of the title. Gosoke used The Dowel (a thin dowel of wood the length of a sword -- lighter than a wooden sword so easy to carry all the time) to demonstrate that if we all tried to parry a real sword cutting down at our head, we'd all be dead, mostly from our own blade getting deflected into our own head. Then he used The Dowel again to show how, even if we managed to parry the attack, our counter-attack wasn't actually hitting the attacker's left abdomen, leaving us open to further pummeling.
After practice I collected Hoshina-san's sword and sai, went to the office to get the Pelican sword case, and dragged all that gear home on the subway, in preparation for the seminars in California and Canada next week.
kenkakubanrai
NPO Hougyoku-kai's 6th Annual Festival and Competition, Kenkakubanrai. I was on the planning committee so I've spent the past couple of weeks working with everyone to pull this off. It was tons of fun, but as I was in the highest division, I got the thrashing I deserved. I won my first match and lost the second to Akama-san, who advanced up from the division below mine. He ended up sweeping both divisions and winning the top award. It was an excellent reminder for me that I still have much to learn and even more to practice. I had plenty of excuses; I've been spending more teaching, I was on the planning committee, I've been getting ready for the US and Canada seminars...but the truth is I just haven't practiced enough and I wasn't good enough to win.
I did, however, get Niina-gosoke's consolation prize:
After the festivities we all went to a place by the station to eat and drink and have fun, and I heard many great stories from Shiokawa-gosoke about when he was young, and Okazaki-sensei's tales of karate. When it was time to go home, I was feeling lame but glad I'd got some perspective, and ready to start fresh tomorrow. I guess I was too busy thinking about redoubling my efforts at practice, because I turned right against a Left Turn Only sign, just in front of a police box. As I was waiting for the light to change, a cop ran out, invited me over, and gave me a 5000 yen ticket.
A fitting end to a fine day, I reckon.
I did, however, get Niina-gosoke's consolation prize:
After the festivities we all went to a place by the station to eat and drink and have fun, and I heard many great stories from Shiokawa-gosoke about when he was young, and Okazaki-sensei's tales of karate. When it was time to go home, I was feeling lame but glad I'd got some perspective, and ready to start fresh tomorrow. I guess I was too busy thinking about redoubling my efforts at practice, because I turned right against a Left Turn Only sign, just in front of a police box. As I was waiting for the light to change, a cop ran out, invited me over, and gave me a 5000 yen ticket.
A fitting end to a fine day, I reckon.
Calverts to London
After two years and many adventures in Japan, Jeff and (pregnant) Ericka are off to London.
We had the traditional Last Supper in Fonda de la Madrugada in Harajuku, the best Mexican (as in Mexico, not as in LA) food this side of New York. A good time was had by all, but at least now we have someplace to stay when we go to London!
We had the traditional Last Supper in Fonda de la Madrugada in Harajuku, the best Mexican (as in Mexico, not as in LA) food this side of New York. A good time was had by all, but at least now we have someplace to stay when we go to London!
meat and a haircut, 10 yen
More like 13,850 yen, but never mind the details.
The Mightier Steed galloped me to Omotesando for a visit to Nozawa at UR, where the clippers worked magic and the massage was painfully pleasant.
Then I hopped across the street to Barbacoa for Robin's going-away party. After 14 ("and a half!") years at Morgan Stanley, the grass was greener in the Swiss Alps.
The salad bar was lovely as always, and the meat...oh, the glorious meat!
Robin started The Game, whose rules are unclear but it generally involves the loser drinking, the winner drinking, anyone's who's watching drinking, everyone sitting at the nearest table drinking...Basically a fair bit of drinking. The waiter told us the next table over was complaining about the noise we were making. Ha! We hadn't even started the speeches yet!
Robin got a stylish fishing vest, pockets bulging with Marlboro Lights, and a Morgan Stanley globe paperweight which MUST be prominently displayed in his new office at UBS. By the time our two hours of all-you-can-eat-and-drink were up, many beer bottles were empty, Robin was a teary-eyed mess, and the crowd proceeded to further debauchery as is always the case with these things.
The Mightier Steed galloped me to Omotesando for a visit to Nozawa at UR, where the clippers worked magic and the massage was painfully pleasant.
Then I hopped across the street to Barbacoa for Robin's going-away party. After 14 ("and a half!") years at Morgan Stanley, the grass was greener in the Swiss Alps.
The salad bar was lovely as always, and the meat...oh, the glorious meat!
Robin started The Game, whose rules are unclear but it generally involves the loser drinking, the winner drinking, anyone's who's watching drinking, everyone sitting at the nearest table drinking...Basically a fair bit of drinking. The waiter told us the next table over was complaining about the noise we were making. Ha! We hadn't even started the speeches yet!
Robin got a stylish fishing vest, pockets bulging with Marlboro Lights, and a Morgan Stanley globe paperweight which MUST be prominently displayed in his new office at UBS. By the time our two hours of all-you-can-eat-and-drink were up, many beer bottles were empty, Robin was a teary-eyed mess, and the crowd proceeded to further debauchery as is always the case with these things.
craaaack!
So some guy came back practice last week to check it out. He came early, about 6:15, and I explained to him that we start basics at about 6:30 and then when Hoshina-san shows up we start practice at 7:00. He watched until about 6:50 and then said he had to go, but was interested in starting next week. I was surprised, as he hadn't really seen much, and asked if he could fill out the membership application. He said he didn't have time but he'd be back next week. I didn't expect him to come back, but there he was. So he filled out the application, paid his registration and first month's dues, and starting doing basics with us. He'd been doing Zenkenren so he had the equipment and some basics, though his cuts lacked the 'cutting-ness' of Mugairyu.
By 7pm Tanaka-sensei and Niina-gosoke had showed up, and we started doing kata. Hoshina-san starts to teach this guy one-on-one, but he says he wants to practice the Zenkenren kata because there's a tournament coming up. Hoshina-san explains that, while we do sometimes do the Zenkenren kata, this is Mugairyu Iaihyodo. He insists. She speaks to Niina-gosoke, who, justifiably, explodes: "He wants to do Zenkenren? I don't care either way. But this is Mugairyu. We practice Mugairyu here. We don't go to Zenkenren practices and tell them we want to practice Mugairyu kata! You ask me, Zenkenren isn't koryu budo, it's nice movements, but we do koryu budo here. We cut with intent, this is Mugairyu!"
Suffice to say he packed up his stuff, we refunded his money, and he was out the door. Kind of surreal.
After that we ran everyone through a couple of pretend tournaments, with judges seated at the front, timing the whole thing to give people an idea of what the tournament on Sunday will be like. Lots of nervousness and people forgetting the basics like how to bow and hold the sword!
From 8:30 Niina-gosoke started the Hour of Pain and pummeled us once again. About 8:45, as I was performing a particularly talent-less draw, there was a stupendous "craaaack!" as I split my saya (scabbard.) It was an old saya, the original that came with the sword, and I had patched it up several times. I knew it'd crack one day, so I wrapped the top with duct tape, and glad I did, because that prevented it from splitting in two entirely. Gosoke immediately laughed and then asked "Did you cut your hand?" "No sir, just my pride." and he laughed again. I've got a couple more saya so no big deal, everyone cracks them eventually, but it really does illustrate how lame I am and how hard it is to do clean draws every time.
By 7pm Tanaka-sensei and Niina-gosoke had showed up, and we started doing kata. Hoshina-san starts to teach this guy one-on-one, but he says he wants to practice the Zenkenren kata because there's a tournament coming up. Hoshina-san explains that, while we do sometimes do the Zenkenren kata, this is Mugairyu Iaihyodo. He insists. She speaks to Niina-gosoke, who, justifiably, explodes: "He wants to do Zenkenren? I don't care either way. But this is Mugairyu. We practice Mugairyu here. We don't go to Zenkenren practices and tell them we want to practice Mugairyu kata! You ask me, Zenkenren isn't koryu budo, it's nice movements, but we do koryu budo here. We cut with intent, this is Mugairyu!"
Suffice to say he packed up his stuff, we refunded his money, and he was out the door. Kind of surreal.
After that we ran everyone through a couple of pretend tournaments, with judges seated at the front, timing the whole thing to give people an idea of what the tournament on Sunday will be like. Lots of nervousness and people forgetting the basics like how to bow and hold the sword!
From 8:30 Niina-gosoke started the Hour of Pain and pummeled us once again. About 8:45, as I was performing a particularly talent-less draw, there was a stupendous "craaaack!" as I split my saya (scabbard.) It was an old saya, the original that came with the sword, and I had patched it up several times. I knew it'd crack one day, so I wrapped the top with duct tape, and glad I did, because that prevented it from splitting in two entirely. Gosoke immediately laughed and then asked "Did you cut your hand?" "No sir, just my pride." and he laughed again. I've got a couple more saya so no big deal, everyone cracks them eventually, but it really does illustrate how lame I am and how hard it is to do clean draws every time.
respect
After practice Misawa-kun took a photo of me with his phone
Yes, I really do command respect from the younger students.
Yes, I really do command respect from the younger students.
mom down! mom down!
Had a bit of a scare: She Who Simultaneously Smokes, Drinks Ice Coffee, Talks On The Phone, Does The Crossword Puzzle, Watches Television, and Plays Electronic Bridge Whilst Making Quilt Patterns had some chest pains, drove herself to the hospital, and spent a couple of days under the watchful eye of the medical profession. Hereditary heart problems (I got 'em too!) and a bourgeoisie New England lifestyle do not a good couple make. Supposedly she quit smoking (that or they just don't letcha smoke in the hospital, they can be strict that way.)
Now she's down in Alabama. In the hospital with heart problems. In Alabama. Dunno which is worse...just kidding Gene!
I've never been south of the Mason-Dixon line. I drove cross-country once with Patch in his foreign car, he wearing an "I want my RU-486" t-shirt and me with my blue braided dreads. A couple of times in the Midwest I thought for sure we'd be lynch-mobbed. One gas-station attendant wearing grease-covered overalls ala Dukes Of Hazzard took one look at our car and mumbled "Damn fine waste of metal and rubber..." to which Patch mumbled, looking at such fine proof that man did in fact evolve from chimps, "Damn fine waste of skin and bone..."
Now she's down in Alabama. In the hospital with heart problems. In Alabama. Dunno which is worse...just kidding Gene!
I've never been south of the Mason-Dixon line. I drove cross-country once with Patch in his foreign car, he wearing an "I want my RU-486" t-shirt and me with my blue braided dreads. A couple of times in the Midwest I thought for sure we'd be lynch-mobbed. One gas-station attendant wearing grease-covered overalls ala Dukes Of Hazzard took one look at our car and mumbled "Damn fine waste of metal and rubber..." to which Patch mumbled, looking at such fine proof that man did in fact evolve from chimps, "Damn fine waste of skin and bone..."
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