(very) Short stories

nothing really special happening ¯\(ツ)/¯ so here is a collection of minor events

Fish heads

Lucky enough to get a lunch provided by the school every day which is usually delicious, nutritious etc etc but sometimes they throw in a rogue one. This particular day was asked to eat with the younger classes and the lunch was in fact three entire fishes - tails, fins, heads and all. Sit up at the top of the class at a tiny desk intended for 5/6 year olds and start eating with a full audience. Not the time to pull a strange face, no room for weakness, chew through three entire fishes, brains and eyes etc, within full view of a very entertained and curious crowd. Luckily these fishes were thin and small so not much of an impact. However there are also larger fishies served up, roughly hand size. full fishes, marinated in something. eat these alongside accustomed locals and there really is no room for pulling a face, don't know who you might offend and you can't be respected if you start pulling whacky faces at lunch. the brains taste extremely fishy, extra fishy in fact. you can often look around on the days when something suspicious is served up and notice people peering in as you're eating which is quite funny as well, i can imagine it is a source of entertainment for everyone to watch the random irishman react to what is often a bizarre plate or bowl of something squidgy or salty or raw.

Termite in the ants nest

It can feel like that sketch out of little britain sometimes where the welsh gay chap often proclaims 'im the only gay in this village' only it's ' ...im the only foreigner in this village' said very quietly under ones breath while trying not to laugh at the mental image. luckily not wearing a mankini or a singlet or whatever however in some scenarios there is a dress code which you do not conform to and stick out like a sore thumb. in this particular case - graduation ceremony, black suits only but i am assured it is not a problem, any suit is fine. Turn up on the day in question with the only suit to hand, blue. la blue goon. couple the dress choice with a complete lack of awareness of what is happening - which is a lot of bowing, turning and formalities etc - and one really can't help but laugh at ones self when you bow in the wrong direction, at the wrong people or clap at the wrong time etc. Very entertaining, hopefully not offensive despite the clear ignorance. Think you get leeway for being a complete outsider.

Squid liver

Went to an izakaya with a local friend and was treated to what i think was raw squid liver. people can say new things taste like fish or chicken or things like that but there is no comparable thing i have ever tasted to compare this to. not good or bad just an extremely bizarre flavour that baffled me completely.

Offensive eating

eating loudly or messily in a very polite society, nothing more to be said here really other than when one is hungry one often forgets to close ones mouth and eat like a normal person which can often result in spills and food flying omnidirectionally unfortunately.

Jazz concert+drive

Drove through some long awaited rain(as opposed to snow) down the valley to a colleagues jazz concert. nothing really to say here other than it was entertaining. nice swanky hotel lobby, once again a termite in the ants nest, walk in there bunch of people relaxing in kimonos and a random straggler with wet hair just strolls in to the middle of the congregation with a big thumbs up to the band. Nice few remixes etc, four old lads with saxophones and a drummer, all very entertaining.

Thanks for reading.