Bread, Broccoli, Books, Battlestar Gallactica...

What a difference a month can make, right?

It has been only that amount of time since I left Shimane but feels far longer. The process of finding a house and jobs was a little more difficult than I had anticipated and pretty much only because I moved to Missoula the same time as students who are going the university here returned from their summer breaks.

It was maddening finding a home, living out of the rental SUV. I gave myself only 5 days and and was lucky to land the pad which I now call home. It's in a little valley, just north of the university named after the creek that runs through it, the "Rattlesnake". The house itself is 20+ years old but more than adequate for myself and my new roommates. Two of which are first year graduate students at the university and the other, who has yet to move in, a writer for a local paper. Thus far John, Bethany and I get along great, and spend most evenings laughing as they each have a great sense of humor.

Both are pursuing degrees in vast field of writing which means that conversations often turn to favorite authors and poets. As they converse, rattle off names of books, journals and collections. I sit there listening, grinning to myself thinking....."yall may know all that, but can you recite 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear. What do you see?' by heart? I think not!"

Most know that I landed a job at the bakery almost immediately and that alone was a great relief. The personnel and job changed a bit sense my last employment with Bernice's, but the neat community culture, smells and good vibes still radiate. I'm technically a baker, and each night I man the ovens working with the mixer as we pump out different ways to eat sourdough, whole wheat, and multigrain dough.

During my first week back, I learned from one of the employees that there was community garden close to where I live. So the next day I went to check it out and discovered a program where compensation of labor helping where needed I got a box full of organically grown vegetables. Since then, John has gone with me and we now have a fridge and table full of veggies, some of which we don't even know how to cook. It's a pretty good deal and helps a good deal in reducing trips to the grocery store. Plus the people work and volunteer there seem to be pretty cool folks.

Then, as of this past thursday I am employed at good old Barnes and Noble. For all you hardcore local bookstore fans who think I've sold out by working for a big corporation that puts small guys out of business, know that I applied to them small guys first, and not a one who even accept a resume, so piss off. I love the little guys as well, but there's nothing t be done when they aren't hiring and a boy has to eat. In addition, I'll just say there's some definite perks to working for a national corporation. (Cue Josh making a book list for when we next see each other.)

As I mentioned before, I am a car-less american. This was a conscious decision and I'm slowly growing accustomed to the life of a cyclist in an automotive dominated land. I'm about 4-6 miles away from work which isn't all that bad as going to work involves cruising downhill through the rattlesnake. Coming home is another story all together but since I don't get off from the bakery until almost midnight, the roads are usually bare and it makes for a lovely night ride. Missoula is the best city I've ever lived in with regards to making cyclists feel safe. There are dedicated bike lanes all across town. Most drivers are conscious of two wheeled transport and there is a great community bike shop where one can go and build a bike for free from all the spare parts that have piled up over the years. Both John and Bethany got bikes this way. There's also a bus system and I imagine I'll be a frequent user of it as the winter months and weather creep in.

All in all, things are good. It looks as I'll be heading to graduate school starting next fall once I've become a resident of the state of montana. This will greatly reduce my tuition fees and gives me a chance to settle into an American life. I miss Japan dearly. The land I lived in, my friends scattered around the world, sticky rice, my old paycheck are just some of the things I think about everyday. I think I've done a pretty good job refraining from talking about Japan in every conversation I have...but it hasn't been easy. The guy I am now as opposed to who I was before I left for the Japan experience are very different men.

When I lived in Missoula 2 years ago I was so very meek. I knew of the community garden then, yet I chose to stay at home and watch DVD's from netflix as opposed to getting out. The people I met back then invited me out but I always found a reason to avoid gatherings of strangers. I wonder if it was because I had just spent the previous winter by myself in cabin with the dogs, or because I still wasn't comfortable with where I was at. Regardless, I love life here now. I'm meeting great people, doing some interesting things. the community here keeps on surprising me with events and festivals that seem to good to be true. (i.e. Today there is a beer and bike festival!)

I believe the biggest challenge now will just be being patient. With grad school looming on the horizon I'm much more comfortable working the part time gigs. Its amazing how that happens by just having a goal for which one is excited about. Ironically, I think I'll be much more productive this year than I have been over the past two. Time will tell.

So this is my big update for the moment. I beg your pardon if it's not all too humorous. I tried a couple different drafts throwing humor into the mix, but this post just didn't mesh all too well with that. I'd love to hear from any and all...especially in the form of a letter. I promise to write back.

More to come