クリストファー・ライス / Christopher Rice

久々、「本」のカテゴリーについて一筆。

I haven't written about a book category for a long time.

ちょうど今週、出版されたばかりの小説を売り込むために、ブックツアーでChristopher Riceという作家がサイン会に来てます。出版事情も、日米、大きな違いがあるよねぇ。日本だと、よっぽど有名な作家でもないかぎり、新作の読書会＆サイン会なんてしないけど、こっちは全米各地の本屋へ行っては、サイン会を開いたり作家がほんの一節を呼んで聞かせるっていうイベントが行なわれてる。

Just this week, an author named Christopher Rice has come to my town to sell his newly-published book. There's a huge difference in the publishing industries between Japan and the U.S. It's only a famous writer who will have a book signing tour in Japan. But in the U.S. that seems a more common custom for any levels of authors to have a book tour.

だけど、このChristopher Riceっちゅー作家の名前は初耳。最近、フィクション系の本を読んでないからなぁ～。学生時代は文学青年だったんですよ、これでも。だけど社会人になると、ビジネス書、学術書、新聞、雑誌で読むものが多くて、フィクションには手が伸びないし首が回らない。

I haven't heard of Christopher Rice, though. I no longer read fiction . . . I used to be literary youth even if you believe it or not! But once you get out of school, there are so many stuff to read for your work such as business books, academic books, newspaper/industry paper, magazine, etc. There's not time or space for fiction!

ただ、Christopherの顔写真を見たら、ちょっと彼の作品がどういったものか気になってしまった。

That said, I am very interested in his books now that I saw his face picture.



wikipediaによると、1978年3月11日カリフォルニア州バークレー生まれ。母親も作家、父親は詩人、叔母も作家という作家一族出身とか。

According to wikipedia, he was born March 11, 1978, in Berkeley, CA. His mother is a writer and father was a poet. His aunt is also a writer. Christopher is from a family of authors.

そして彼は自分がゲイとカミングアウトしてます～。彼の作品、The Density of Soulsは、まさにゲイの青年が主人公とか。読んでみようかなぁ。

And also Christopher came out as a gay. His books, The Density of Souls, is about a gay protagonist. I'd read it.

ちなみに彼、今はロスに在住で、映画の脚本家を目指してるとか。今、エメラルドシティーよりも天使の街に、一票、入りました!

Christopher lives in LA and now explores writing screenplays. Now, there's an additional vote for the city of angel over the emerald city!

幸せはお金でかえる？！/ You can buy happiness with money?!

今日のニュースで、幸せがお金で買えるらしいという科学的研究結果が報道されてました。関連記事はこちら。

I heard somewhere on the news channel today about a new scientific evidence showing that people can buy happiness with money. The related article can be read here.

要するに、お金は自分だけに使うよりも、他人のために使ったほうが幸福感が高まるということらしい。これには全く納得だよぉ～。例の、数年前付き合ってたケチケチ弁護士デービッドなんて、1セントも他人のために使わなかったからね。自販機からおつりが30セント出てこなかったっちゅーだけで、自販機管理会社に弁護士を語ったクレーム・レターを送りつけて、30セント、コインで返金させてたツワモノだったから。彼なんて幸福から程遠い人でした。

In a nutshell, you'll feel happier when you spend money on others than spend (only) on yourself. I totally agree with this finding. A few years ago, I dated with a super stingy attorney David. He never spent even a cent on others. I recall he sent a claim letter to a vending machine company because he didn't get his change of 30 cents! He is so far away from happiness.

そういえば、オーヘンリーか誰かの作品で、きれいな庭を持ってるけど、子供たちが入ってくるのを堅く禁じた不幸せな老人の話ってなかったっけ？それが一転して、子供たちを庭で遊ばせるようになると、老人の不幸が一変して幸せな生活を送るようになったっていう。あれって、オスカー・ワイルドだったっけ？「幸福な王子」も他人のために自分を犠牲にするお話でした。

Oh, now I recall a short novel about an unhappy old man who has a beautiful garden. He strictly prohibited children from entering the garden. But in the end, he lets them play in his garden, leading to happiness, almost euphoria. Was it by O'Henry or Oscar Wilde? "The Happy Prince" is also about sacrificing yourself for others.

ケチケチ弁護士デービッドに比べてジャドソンとか、太っ腹な人って、見ていてストレス少なそうで幸福感が高いんだろうなぁって傍から見てわかるよ。僕もああなりたいなぁと憧れる数少ない稀有な人の一人（4月にまた再会する予定～。今日、メールしたら、押しかけてOKという返事を頂きました。）

As opposed to stingy lawyer David, Judson is so generous and to my eyes he's having a less-stressful life and actually looks happier. I adore him and want to be like him (I'm going to see him again! Today I asked him if I can visit him in April, he said fine).

ってなわけで、僕もボーナスのもらい逃げはよくないと考えて、どこか慈善団体に気持ちだけでも寄付することに決定。で、どこがいいんでしょうか・・・？今までいかに寄付してこなかったかがバレバレ。＞0＜

What I really wanted to say is that I shouldn't take all of my bonus. I decided to donate some of it to some charitable organization. But which one . . . ? It's so obvious that I haven't done this much so far.

聞くところによると、赤十字とかは、運営費で寄付金の30％（？記憶がおぼろげ）程度が職員の給与とかに流れるから、本当に必要な人たちには寄付金の7割しかいかないとか。寄付金が実際、慈善活動に直接的に利用される割合をどこかが公表してたと思うんだけど、その割合の高いところに寄付したい～。あと、目的。アフリカの飢饉に苦しむ子供たちとか、インドネシア沖の津波の被害者、カトリーナの被害者、エイズ基金、GLBTの未成年者たちへの啓発活動などなど、山ほどあるよねー。毎月、出身大学から郵送されてくる寄付金募集の手紙は無視だ。目的が良くわからん。しかも、こっちは授業料を払ってるしさ。

I learned that the Red Cross, for example, takes about 30% (may be wrong) of donated money for its operations such as staff's pay roll. So, only 70% of your money goes to people who are really in need. I thought this expense ratio information for charitable organizations have been publicized but don't know where. I want to give my money to an organization which doesn't take too much out of it for its operation. I also should think about the cause. There are so many good causes such as children suffering from famine in Africa, tsunami aftermath in Indonesia, Hurricane Catrina, AIDS, suppoting LGBT teenagers, and so on. I receive a donation solicitation letter from my university every month but it's out of the question. I have already paid for the tuition!

たまたま今日はIRS（日本でいう国税庁）から手紙が来ていて、ブッシュ大統領が通過させた経済刺激策の一環としての減税法のおかげで、5月には600ドルほど還付金が送られてくるとか。これを丸々、寄付ってのが妙案かも。所詮、一人600ドル程度で、サブプライムローン問題で火ダルマのアメリカ経済が立ち直るとは思えんし。

Coincidentally, I received a letter from IRS, saying that President Bush passed the Economic Stimulation Act and that I will receive a check for about $600 in May. It's another idea to donate this money to charity. I can't believe that $600 per person will save the U.S. economy from this subprime mortgage mess and billion dollars debt due to the prolonged Iraq War.

どなたか、どの慈善団体がいいとか、お知恵・ご意見いただけると嬉しいっす。

I'd appreciate if anyone can recommend some really good charity.

突然ですが It's a sudden but . . .

西海岸に引っ越すことが決まりましたのでご報告します！ちょうど今日はイースターだし、なんかこういう重大な人生の転機をご報告するのに適した日曜日の気がしたので。

I've decided to move to the West Coast! It's Happy Easter today and such a bright sunny Sunday, which looks a perfect day to reveal my important decision which will change the trajectory of my life.


まだ場所は確定していませんが、イチローのいるシアトルか、天子の街、ロスのいずれかになることは確実となりました。どちらの街になるかは、来週中～再来週には明確になります。各都市に在住の方たちに、お国自慢ならぬ、マイ・タウン自慢をしてくれると嬉しいなぁ。僕は両方の街に行ったことあるので、基本は抑えてます。シアトルにはブライアンのお兄さんが住んでて、ロスにはジャドソンが住んでるので、どちらに引っ越しても知人がいるというのは心強い。エメラルド・シティーのシアトルにも惹かれるし、サーフィン天国の南カリフォルニアにも惹かれるなぁ。

The final destination is not confirmed yet, but it's going to be either Seattle where Ichiro is or angel's city, LA for sure! Probably I will find out which city the next or a week after the next week. If there are people who are living in those cities, it'd be great to hear great things about your city. I've been to both cities--actually I visited them last fall most recently. In Seattle, Brian's bro is living while in LA Judson is living. So, either way, I will know someone in either city, which makes me feel comfortable. I'm attracted to the emerald city and also to surfer's heaven, Southern California.

引越し時期は、8月頃を予定。でも、会社は早々に辞めるつもりなので、そろそろ上司に告げなければいけない・・・。まずは今年度のボーナスが銀行口座に入金されたことを確認して、伝えようと計画してます。多分、5月一杯働いて、6月は残った有給休暇を使い切ると、ちょうど6月末くらいまでお給料がもらえる計算になる（その頃、グリーンカードが取得できる予定！）。なので、今の職場もあと2ヶ月かぁ。あっという間だろうね。

I'm planning to move out in August. But I want to quit my job as soon as possible, so I have to tell my boss . . . First I need to confirm that this fiscal year's bonus is deposited in my bank account. It's likely that I work through May and in June I will take my leftover vacations days (about 20 days). Perhaps around that time, I will receive my green card finally! Oh well, there are only two months left at work. I bet time flies.

6月は日本に戻って1ヶ月くらいゆっくりしたいー（温泉も！）。でも、ズルズルひきずる仕事上のプロジェクトが残りそうなので、日本の実家からリモートで6月一杯は仕事してそうだけれど。

In June I want to just get relaxed in Japan (of course, I want to go to onsen!) That said, I may have a leftover project, so I might be working in Japan through June remotely . . .

その後、7月には1ヶ月くらい旅行でしょう。以前、このブログではギリシャの島々とデンマークなんて書きましたが、このユーロ高/ドル安のご時勢、ちょっと無理そう。それに日本に帰国してるので、そこから移動しやすい東南アジアが現実的かなぁ。やっぱ、タイに行っとくべき？

In July, I want to travel for sure. Before on this blog I said that I want to travel to Greek isles and Denmark, but during this high euro/low U.S. dollar period, it seems a bad idea. Since I'll be back in Japan, I want to take advantage of the location. Southeast Asia seems more plausible to me. Thailand would be a good idea?

日本に帰るって周囲に伝えたら、ブライアン、ジェームス、Mさんなんかが一緒に来たいと言ってる。なので3人つれて実家に戻るかも。両親にしてみれば、さて、どれが本命でしょう？って思うかな？Mさん、お嫁さん候補で誤解されちゃいそー。翌朝起きたら枕元に母親から手紙がおいてあったなんてことにもなり兼ねないよねぇ～。ちゃんと3人ともお友達ですから、って説明しないと・・・。

I told friends that I'm going back to Japan in June. Brian, James and M-san said they want to visit my hometown. I may take them back with me! My parents might wonder which one is my significant other . . . M-san might be misunderstood as my girlfriend or something. It could happen that my mother writes a letter to her, saying that please take care of our son. That'd be embarrassing. I need to explain to my parents that they are all my good friends!

Mさんも、転職を進めていて、ロンドンにあるコンサルティング会社の職の最終面談まで行ってたらしい。そしたら、最終選考で、もう一人の候補者と天秤にかけられ、僅差で残念されてしまったらしい。これに懲りず、彼女にも頑張って欲しい。昨日は二人でそんな話をしながら点心＆散歩＆ボート漕ぎ（ロマンチックすぎ？）＆コーヒー＆ショッピングという一日を過ごした。二人で何年も住んできたこの町並みを眺めて、いざ去るとなると「ここもいい所だったなぁ～って思うよね？」というので共感してしまった。先が見えない状態で住み続けてると、こんなつまんねー街なんてとっとと出てやる！！っていう目でしか見れなかったけど、いざ、残り数ヶ月かと思うと、この街で6年以上住んできて、染み付いた思い出に目頭が熱くなる。

M-san is also trying to switch her career and just recently has been interviewing with a consulting firm headquartered in London. At the final stage, however, she was compared with another candidate and was not chosen with a close call. I want her to hang in there. Yesterday we were talking about what's happening in our life as eating dim sum, walking in a park and rowing boat (too romantic?), having coffee, and shopping. Both of us have lived in this town for many years. Once you decide to leave, you start changing how to see the place. Now I think this city was not that bad. While I was living without knowing what to do next in my life, I thought this city was such a boring place. But when I think there are only a couple of months left for me to live here, I feel some tear in my eyes.

4月5月は、出張（おそらく最後の！）と個人国内旅行、そして引越し先の選定で、ニューヨーク、シカゴ、ワシントンDC、シアトル、ロスを行ったりきたりの日々になりそうっす。

In April and May, I will have a final business trip and also other domestic travels from NY to Chicago, Washington, DC, Seattle, and LA.

また行く街が確定したらご報告しまっす！

I will let you guys know here where I'll end up going!

温泉ってやっぱいいっす～/ the onsen is nice

ジェイソンの温泉シーンもさることながら、またもやNHKで温泉ものを見つけてしまいました。日本が恋しいこの頃、こういう湯気がもうもうと立ち上るスキーリゾート地の温泉で日ごろの疲れを癒すっていいよなぁ～と思ってしまいました。ただ、それ以上に、この白馬の温泉宿でバイトっていうのもオイシイかもなんて思ったりして。（下心丸出し）

While Jason's 'onsen' (Japanese hot spring) scene is still vivid in my memory, I've encountered another onsen report on NHK. This makes me believe someone inside NHK really like to shoot white young guys dipping in the onsen . . . Well, I'm not complaining at all! Not only that, I thought it'd be nice to get relaxed in a steamy onsen bathhouse. I miss Japan so much! I also thought it'd not be a bad idea to work (or volunteer!) at this bathhouse in Hakuba--you'll know why I think so when you watch the video clip below!





Windows Mediaで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with Windows Media, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/asx/feature50_200k.asx


RealPlayerで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with RealPlayer, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/ram/feature50.ram

ゲイクルーズ / gay cruise

オーマイガー！またもや驚きの電話が。ちょっと続きすぎで怖いんですけど。今日、ブライアンと昼間だべって、それから夕方4時ごろにジムで筋トレをしていたところ、僕の携帯電話に見知らぬ人から電話が。エリアコードも見慣れないしぃ、このまま無視してようかなぁと思いつつも、なにか胸騒ぎが。とりあえず興味本位から出てみることに。このとき既に、こ1時間の運動が終わって、マットに寝そべってストレッチをしてるところでした。なので、天井を見ながらHello?と聞いてみた。

Ohmygod! I got another surprise call today. Last Tuesday I just had one from my junior high school friend who was out of touch for more than 13 years. I hung out with Brian this afternoon and then around 4pm I went to the gym. While I was still at the gym, I got a call from someone I don't know--at least I didn't recognize its number. Even the caller's area code doesn't look familiar to me. I thought maybe I should ignore this but I was kind of curious, so I answered the call. At that time, I was already done with my work out and lying down on the mat to do some streching. I said "Hello" as looking up the ceiling on my back.

すると、「トムだよ。数年まえ、クルーズ旅行で一緒だった」。

Then the person on the other side said, "It's Tom. We met at the cruise trip a few years ago."

今度は僕の中学校の同級生みたいに意地悪じゃなく、ちゃんと自己紹介から入ってくれたので、僕もすぐに記憶をたどることができた。いやーそれにしても、それっていつのこと？僕がクルーズ旅行に行ったなんて、かなり昔・・・。

This time, there was a straightforward introduction unlike my school friend. I quickly recalled that trip and his face. But it's been a while. When was it actually? It's really a long time ago when I went to a cruise trip . . .

このブログで「クルーズ」と検索してみると、出ました。2005年12月に行ってたんですねー。しかも、その頃、まさにジミーとつきあって絶頂期だった頃・・・。その翌年5月に、トムとそのパートナーのダンが、僕が住む町にやってきてました。もうかれこれ2年かぁ～。長いような短いような・・・。

When I searched "cruise" on my blog, I got some hits. It was December 2005. (Apologies, at that time I kept my blog only in Japanese.) Then, it was right at the time when Jimmy and I were dating. In May of the following year, Tom and his long-term partner Dan came to my town for business. It's been almost two years. It feels long and short . . .

彼らはあいかわらずウィスコンシンの片田舎に一緒に住んでるとか。会社も変わってないらしいけど、二人ともアジアへの出張が増えたとかで、トムはまさに台湾からの出張で戻ってくる途中の乗り継ぎ空港から電話してきているとのことだった。しかも、Tで始まる知人の電話しようと思って、間違って僕の電話番号をかけてしまったらしい。でも、ま、久々だしいいかっていうので切らずに電話してくれたとか。いやはや、これまたなんという偶然でしょう。彼のパートナーのダンは、去年、シンガポールに4ヶ月出張だったとかで、彼のシスターとトムもシンガポールを訪問して楽しかったとか。昨年末は二人でギリシャにクルーズ旅行に行ってきたそうで、いやはや、ゴージャスなゲイ・ライフを送っている二人でございます。この二人、確か40代で、二人とも大手消費財製造会社に勤める。両方とも年収10万ドルはかせいでるんじゃないの？ダブルインカムで20～30万ドルはいってるでしょう。だから年中、イタリアにスキー旅行だのクルーズだのに行ってる。羨ましすぎる。

Tom said they are still living in Wisconsin together. Both of them are still with the same companies. But in recent years they are traveling to Asia more often. Tom was just about on his way back home from Taiwan, he said. He was transiting at some airport. He was trying to call some of his friend whose name starts with T but by accident he dialed my number, he said. He could have hung up before I picked, but he thought it's been a while and should say hi to me. What a coincidence anyway. Dan, his partner, worked in Singapore over four months last year and his sister and Tom visited him then. If I recall correctly, both Tom and Dan are in his 40's and working for a major consumption goods manufacturers. I bet each of them individually makes at least $100K, which means their household income is around $20k-30k. Wow. That's why they're traveling all the time from skiing in Italian Alps to cruising in Greece. I'm so jealous.

トムによると、また同じメンバーでクルーズ旅行に行きたいねとのこと。今度は、ゲイ・オンリーのクルーズ旅行に。いやー、行きたいけど、今度はかっこいいボーイフレンドと行きたいっす。

Tom said we should arrange another cruise trip together. He suggested a gay cruise next time. Oh boy, I'd love to go on to a gay cruise but next time I'd like to be with a handsome boyfriend.


こんな素敵な多人種カップルとつるむのが夢やねー、やっぱ。

Hanging out with this kind of fabulous interracial gay couples would be nice.

ALL THAT I WILL EVER BE

昨晩は、予定通り、MさんとALL THAT I WILL EVER BEを観劇してきました。事前にオンラインで購入したチケットには座席指定がされていたのに、当日、ボックスオフィスでチケットを受け取ると、「自由席」の文字が・・・。既にゲイグループが長蛇の列。でも、劇場自体が小さく、満席といっても観客は50人くらい。舞台もとても小さくて、中心に3メートル×3メートルくらいの正方形のステージ（床下からライトアップされてる）。そしてその三辺に、観客用に座席が作られてるのだけど、屋外野球を見るような3段のひな壇に、パイプ椅子（一応、クッションはついてる）が並べられているというステージ。いわゆる1段上のステージがあって、その反対側に階層状の座席というスタイルではない。

Last night, as planned, M-san and I went to see the play ALL THAT I WILL EVER BE. Although our seats were pre-assigned when I purchased online, the actual tickets that I received at the box office said "free admission" . . . This kind of disorder will never happen in Japan. But M-san told me that it can easily happen in the U.S. I totally agree. I understood why there was a long line of people already when we got to the theater. That said, the theater was very small and the full capacity was like 50 people. The square stage (10 ft x 10 ft) was located in the center whose three sides were faced with three-steps of seats. It was a kind of small amphitheater.

なので、座席指定はなかったけど、超狭いステージだったので、どこから見ても役者は目前。臨場感が味わえてとても満足だった。

Although our seats were not assigned, the theater was so small that we could sense actors' beat and breath very close from any seat. I was very happy with it.

予想通り、役者が全裸になるシーンがいくつかあって、Mさんも目が釘付け。事前に予告しておいたので心の準備ができていた模様。

As we thought, there were scenes that actors take off their clothes completely. M-san's eyes were fixated on them. But since I warned her beforehand, she seemed to be ready and could handle it well.

ストーリーも、ゲイならではの身につまされる内容だった。ハスラー家業を続けるOmarと、その顧客のDwightの二人が主人公だと思ってたのだけど、本当の主人公はOmarだった。Omarはドバイで生まれ育ったアルメニア人。アメリカで生計を立てるためにハスラー業を始めたけど、「アルメニア人」だとハスラーとして人気が出ないため、「アラブ人ぜつりん男」と偽って広告を掲載。もちろん、Omarというのも本名ではない。そして自分はバイセクシャルだと思っていた。だけど、Dwightと知り合って交流を重ねるうちに、徐々に本当の自分を見せるようになり、しまいには"I love you, Dwight."というセリフも言うように。

The plot is very believable and I could relate to it. Omar, a hustler, and his client Dwight were equally main characters, I thought. But a real main one is Omar. He is Armenian who grew up in Dubai. He started hustling in the US to survive but he deceptively advertised himself as an "Arab stud" because Armenian doesn't sound appealing to American customers. Of course, Omar is not his real name. He also said in the earlier part in the play that he was bi-sexual. Yet, as he gets intimate with Dwight, he started showing true himself and in the end, he even said, "I love you, Dwight," though he thought it was 'unprofessional' as a hustler.

一見順調に行くように見えた関係も、人種問題や、Dwightと恋人関係になってもハスラー家業を続けるOmarだったので、ある晩、大喧嘩に発展。この舞台の銘台詞は、「人は、ハスラーに来てもらうためにお金を払うんじゃない。（「事」が終わった後）さっさと去ってもらうために金を払うんだ」というもの。Dwightからお金を取ることは止めていたOmarに対して、Dwightは、「出てってくれ！金を払うから出ていってくれ！」とお金を床に投げつける。「オレを追い出さないでくれ」と懇願して泣き崩れるOmar・・・。

Their relationship seems going well, but there are more obstacles. Racial/ethnic issues and the fact that Omar continues his hustler business developed into a big verbal fight with Dwight at a night. One memorable line in the play is, "People don't pay for a hustler to come over, but they do to make him leave." Omar stopped taking money from Dwight long time ago, but at this argument scene Dwight smashed cash on the floor and asked, "Get out of my house. I will pay for it." Omar begged Dwight in tears and asked, "Please don't kick me out."

奥が深いっすね～。ゲイの世界では「事」が終わればさっさと出てってくれという輩が多いんだよね。深い部分でつながることは、面倒、やっかい、係わり合いになりたくないっていうの。それと、バイセクシャルだから、自分はゲイじゃないって主張する人たち。Omarも、「オレはゲイじゃないから」ってDwightに語ってました。どっかで聞いたことあるセリフだ。

The message behind the story is so profound. There are so many guys who just want to get rid of their mates after 'business' in the gay world. It's regarded as annoying and burdensome to relate with someone else at the deep level. There are quite a few guys who don't admit that they are gay, too. They insist that they're bi though they're not really. Omar also said, "I'm not gay" to Dwight. I have heard of that line sometime.

そして最後のシーンは、3ヶ月ぶりにハスラー家業に復帰したOmarの登場。（Dwightとの大破局があった後、3ヶ月は傷心してたんですね。）顧客は、ネブラスカ州出身でメディカルスクールに通う学生。まだ男性経験がなくて、何をして言いかわからないうぶな若者。彼に対して、Omarは「自分をさらけだせばいいんだ」と詰め寄る。それに対して、学生は「君はどこ出身だ？」と聞く。Omarは、広告で「ぜつりんプエルトリコ人男」と偽っていた。Omarは、この質問に正直に「ドバイで育ったアルメニア人だ」と答える。広告と違うので学生は狼狽。しかも、ドバイと聞いてOmarはテロリストなんじゃないかとパニックに。そして学生は、「金を払うからで出て行ってくれ」のセリフ・・・。

In the last scene, Omar appears as a hustler again three months later. (Omar took a break for three months after breaking up with Dwight.) Omar visits a new client who is a medical school student from Nebraska. Since the student is novice, he doesn't know what to do. Omar tells him, "Just show what you're ashamed of showing to other people." After some exchange of words, the student asks Omar where he is from. Omar's advertisement said he is a "Puertorican stud" but Omar replied honestly that he was Armenian who grew up in Dubai. The student is upset because he is not Latin as the ad claimed. Besides, the student has become slight panicked to hear Dubai since he thought Omar could be a terrorist. The student said, "Please leave. I'll pay."

だけど金を受け取っても出て行かないOmar。警察に電話しようとする学生。そして取っ組み合いの乱闘。Omarに組みふされ、目隠しをされた学生は泣きながら「なんで僕はこんな目にあわないといけないんだ」と崩れる。組み手をほどき、Omarは、優しく彼に語りかけ始める――「自分をさらけ出してくれ」。二人が抱き合うシーンで幕は下りる。

Omar takes money but never leaves. The student tries to call a police. Omar and the student started wrestling and the student was pinned down on the floor. He was blindfolded. In tears, the student asks Omar why he treats him so badly and weeps. Omar releases the student and starts talking to him gently--"Show me yourself." The two men embrace each other eventually. That's where the whole play ends.

季節の変わり目 / Change of Season

こちらも、急に春らしくなってます。近所の桜が3部咲き。それにあわせて、僕の花粉症も発症。昨日は、とっても大切な面接があったのだけど、小春日和につられて花粉が大量発生。まじめにスーツとネクタイでスタバで待機してたのだけど、目が涙目。精神力で鼻水は止めたけど、この時期に面接を設定するのは考え物だとあらためて気がつかされた。しかも、来週水曜にも面接が入ってる。この日は朝9時半からなので、多分、花粉症の症状が出る前に終えることができるかなと読んでるけど・・・。ハンカチを忘れないようにしないと。

Suddenly it's getting warm here and spring is around the corner. Cherry trees in my neighborhood is blooming almost 30% now. But this means my pollen allergy is also getting activated. Yesterday I had a very important interview but I was suffering not only by a rarely worn suit and tie but also pollen. My eyes got wet with tear and nose was almost running. I stopped my runny nose only with my will power--at least during the interview, but I should really think about having an interview in this season. Next Wednesday I will have another interview at 9:30am, but since it's a bit early I'll be fine, I hope. (My allergy won't be kicked in until later morning--usually.) I should bring a handkerchief with me.

そうそう、ジェイソンから嬉しいお返事を頂いていたのですっかり忘れていましたが、先週火曜日、中学時代の友達から突然会社に電話がかかってきた。先方も仕事の関係でニューヨークに赴任したとか。それにしても、意地悪だったのが、電話の第一声が「ＯＸ会社の▲ＯＸですが、覚えてますか？」ってあんた、会社名言われたってわかるわけないでしょう？13年以上、交流がなかったわけだし。豆鉄砲を食らったハトのように、面食らった僕は「えー、どちらでお会いしましたっけ？」と寝ぼけた返事。そしたら「中学校です」。そう言われても、頭が即、切り替わらなくって、しばらく昔の記憶のかけらを暗闇の奥底でかき集めるかのように思い出して、ようやく彼の13年前の顔を思い出すことが出来たのでした。

Since I got a nice response from Jason, I had completely forgotten that I got a surprise call from my school friend last Tuesday. We went to the same junior high school. He was sent to NY by his company, he said. But he was a bit mean at first. When I picked a call, he said, "This is XYZ of ABC Corp., do you remember me?" I was stunned by the call. Of course, I didn't recall him. So I asked him, "Where did we meet?" Then, he replied that we met in a junior high school. Still it took me a while to gather pieces of my memory berried deep in my brain drawer.

彼はまだニューヨークに知人がいないらしく、過去の旧友の名前をインターネットで検索しまくりで、アメリカ在住の人を探し回ったらしい。あともう一人、英語が得意だった日本人女性がアメリカ人と結婚してこっちに住んでるらしいなんていう情報も聞いて、突然、そんな旧友たちの近況を知らされたのでした。それにしても、このご時勢、インターネット一つでそんなに人の素性・現状がわかるもんなんだねぇー。しかも、氏名だけで。だけど、氏が田中とか佐藤とかだと難しいだろうね。インターネット世界で匿名性を保つには、そういうジェネリックな氏に生まれないといけないご時勢のようです。彼とは、春に再会を果たす約束をして電話を切りました。

He doesn't have friends in the NY area, so he started searching his old friends on the Internet. He told me one of our mutual friends from school is married with an American guy and living in the US. She was good at English in school, so there's no wonder. At any rate, I was really surprised to see that you can find out almost anybody's whereabouts on the Internet. Yet, if your last name is Tanaka or Sato, it'd be difficult to be tracked down by only your name. In other words, if you want to maintain your anonymity on the Internet, you should be born with one of those generic names! I promised to meet him either in my town or his in this spring.

昨晩は、ブライアンと数年ぶりにゲイバーにくり出してみました。昔通ったバーで、客層も少し変わって中年が増えてたような。でも花粉症が悪化して、お酒の見ながら鼻水ダラダラ。

Last night, I went out to a local gay bar with Brian. It's been a few years since last. (It's true. Trust me!) Clientèles of the bar seemed to have changed over the last few years with more older folks and ethnically diverse demography. But my nose was really runny by that time. I was constantly blowing my nose as drinking my cocktail . . . how sexy was it?

ブライアンに、中学時代からの友達から突然電話があったこと、そして4月、ニューヨークへまた行くことになりそうということを話したら、彼も仕事で4月に2週間、ニューヨーク勤務するとか。しかも、ニューヨークに一度も来たことがないという田舎のお母さんを呼んで観光もするらしい。僕の訪問時期と重なりそうなので、Mさんとジェームスも誘って6人で食事にでも行くかも。でも、中学時代の旧友、ゲイ友のブライアンとジェームス、それにブライアン・ママとMさん・・・超濃い～。どんな会話していいかわかんないっすよね。全員集結は考え直した方がいいかもね。

I told Brian that this week I got a sudden phone call from my school friend and that I might be visiting NY again. Then Brian said he will be in NY for two weeks in April for work. In addition, he will invite his mother who has never been to the Big Apple and tour around together. It seems like a perfect timing for my visit there, so we talked about arranging our trips and getting together there if possible. I'm thinking about going to NYC with M-san (my Japanese female friend) and James again. Does this mean my Japanese school friend, my gay friends Brian and James, Brian's mom, M-san, and I get together?! This picture doesn't look beautiful and damn serious to me. I even can't imagine what kind of conversation is appropriate for all of us. Probably I should have a second thought about this plan. I should meet them separately.

今晩は、Mさんと二人で演劇を見てきます。数年前、オスカーを取ったAmerican BeautyやテレビドラマSix Feet Underの脚本を書いたAlan Ballによる脚本のALL THAT I WILL EVER BE。

Tonight I am going out to see a stage play called ALL THAT I WILL EVER BE. Alan Ball, who wrote American Beauty and Six Feet Under, wrote the script.

ストーリーは、ロスでハスラー業を営む中東系のOmarと、彼に恋してしまうDwightの愛と葛藤のお話。

The plot is about Omar, who is a Middle Eastern hustler in L.A., and Dwight who falls in love with him. It's about their love and hate struggle.

左がOmarで右がDwight/ Left-Omar, Right-Dwight


左がDwightで右がOmar/ Left-Dwight, Right-Omar


かなりのヌードシーンがあるらしくて、嫁入り前のMさんが耐えられるか不安・・・。もちろん、僕は見慣れてるので大丈夫どえーっす！

I heard there are many scenes where actors get naked. I'm not sure if M-san, who is 'yomeiri mae' (before getting married), can stand them . . . Of course, I can stand them 'cos I'm used to seeing them!

観客も多分99％がこちら組でしょう。

I bet 99% of audiences are from my team.

じぇいそ～ん！ Jaso-n!

Jaso-n! THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing me a message!

There are something that I didn't write in English, though I did in Japanese, in the last posting, which is those international celebrities in Japan could be a perfect boyfriend (wink wink). They are well-educated, cute, fluent in Japanese and interested in Japanese culture. But I also said I shouldn't be in the U.S. if I want to meet such nice people (sigh). Why is it so difficult to meet such Americans in the U.S.??? It's really ironic that you're in Japan and I am in the U.S., don't you think?

Hope I could give you a huge hug someday! If you don't mind corresponding with a big Japanese fan of yours in your country once in a while, please drop me a line.

At any rate, I wish you the best of luck to your career and I'll keep watching your show in the U.S.! (Is "Out and About" broadcast only abroad? If so, it may not be so bad to remain in the U.S. 'cos I can keep watching it!)

XOXO

P.S. Please say thank you to your friend who forwarded my blog link to you. Ah, maybe he/she is reading this. Thanks a lot for connecting me with Jason! This is really an amazing experience of "six degrees of separation."

ジェイソン・ハンコック / Jason Hancock

去年の夏くらいからNHKが海外放送を始めたというのをお伝えしましたが、まさに最近はNHKを見てる時間が半分くらいになってはまってます。基本的に、外国に日本を紹介する番組が多くて、トーンはどれも同じ。だけど、改めて日本の最近の文化や地方の文化に触れると、日本っていいなーと日本人の僕ですら思えてくる。特にお気に入りの番組は、Your Japanese Kitchen, Tokyo Eye, Cool Japan, Out and About, クローズアップ現代, プロフェッショナル　仕事の流儀など。

Around last summer NHK (Japanese version of BBC or PBS) started broadcasting abroad more widely. Even my cable company Comcast has its channel in the 100's number and I have been sucked in NHK programs because I miss Japan. They are mostly targeting foreign viewers, however. Hence, the programs are about explaining Japanese culture from food to fashion, traveling, and lifestyle. My favorites are Your Japanese Kitchen, Tokyo Eye, Cool Japan, Out and About, Close up Gendai, Professionals, etc.

これら番組を見る一つの楽しみが、外タレさんを見ること。また最近は増えていろんな人が日本のエンターテイメント業界で活躍してるみたいだねー。しかも、日本語が超うまい。日本語もできてかっこよくて日本に興味ありって、3拍子そろってるよね。ボーイフレンドにするんだったら、こういう人たちが完璧ではないかと・・・（嗚呼アメリカにいる場合じゃない）。しかも、こういう外タレってゲイっぽい人も多い。

One of the fun parts of watching these programs is to check out cute guys from all over the world. They are always fluent in Japanese (I assume NHK requires Japanese proficiency for the position) and cute and interested in Japan! That's a perfect combination. Don't you think? I also bet there's a high chance that some of them are gay actually.

そんな僕が目を付けてる一人がジェイソン・ハンコック。初めて彼を目にしたのが、Out and Aboutの番組。それから再び目にしたのがこのエピソード。しかも、両方とも服を脱いでる！その脱ぎっぷりといやー、そりゃ見事。

One of such people is Jason Hancock. I first saw him in this episode of Out and About. Then I saw him again in this episode. Both of the times, Jason took off his clothes and exposed himself! Is it coincidence or what?

特に2つ目のふんどし姿は、NHKの番組にしてはセクシーすぎじゃ？？と思ってしまうほど。しかも、他のじいちゃんばあちゃんの視聴者は気がつかなかったかもしれないけれど、ジェイソン、超小さいビキニの日焼け跡が残ってるんですけど！ここまでタイニーなビキニで海辺をウロウロできるんだったら、ふんどし姿なんて朝飯前だよねぇ～。

Especially this scene him in "fundoshi" (Japanese loincloth) is way over sexy for an NHK program. I wondered if other viewers noticed but Jason has a bikini tanline! That was a really tiny bikini, I can see!!



ジェイソンの日本語は、ほとんどネイティブなみ。すごーいと感服。しかも、性格が良い人～ってのがにじみ出てるんだよねぇ。いやー、こんな友達がいたらいいなぁ。今日、彼の略歴をみつけて、日本語がこんなにうまい理由も少し納得。

Jason's Japanese is almost native level. I was very impressed. I like his charm too. Today I found his brief bio info here.

昨晩は、彼を別のNHKの番組で発見。これまでOut and Aboutでしか見たことなかったけど、昨日は日本の女の子のかわいいファッション文化を英語で学ぶというもの。学校の教室のセットに、海外からの若い女性が生徒役で座って、講師のお話を聞くという設定。その教室の最後部に、一人、ヒゲ面の男性が・・・。僕はコギャルたちよりもその唯一の男性ガイタレが気になって、番組を見ながら、あのジョックは誰～もっと大きく映してよーとブーイング気味。

番組の最後のほうになり、彼もカメラでクローズアップされ、それがジェイソンであることが判明。ヒゲをはやしてたので全然わからなかった。しかも、ちょっと老けた？ヒゲをはやしてさらに一層、ゲイ・ダディーって感じ・・・。だけど、ちゃんとA&Fの上下を着てて、さすがジェイソン。番組最後は、ジェイソンの掛け声で参加者全員が乱れまくりのダンスで終了。もう彼に惚れましたよ。今後、ますます注目です。

Last night, I saw him again on a different NHK program which was about Japanese kawaii (cute) fashion. Jason was wearing beard! I didn't recognize him at first. He looked a bit older... and even gayer. Of course, he was wearing Abercrombie and Fitch (A&F) shirts and pants (grin). Jason is my hero. Go Jason!

ヒルメロ・ゲイ・キス / gay kiss on soap opera

こんなのが話題になってるようです。

This kind of soap opera is getting popular in the US.

霊感？- ESP?

去年の年末の株価から、今年に入って大暴落・・・。10％近くも値を下げてしまってます。サブプライムローン問題も、全然解決する兆しがなく、もう不況に突入してしまってると思うしかない状況。11月時点から200万円近くも損失してるけど、これ以上、株価が下がるのは黙って見てられない！と思って、今日、思い切って持ってる株（ミューチュアルファンド）を全部売り払った。代わりに短期国債を購入。幸運にも、今日は少し値を戻したのでキャピタルゲインもわずかながらアップ。

The stock prices have fallen almost 10% since last year. Subprime loan problems seem to be exacerbated and there is no doubt that economy has entered into recession. I lost almost $20,000 in stocks and couldn't wait and see my funds losing more value. So today I sold all my mutual funds. Instead, I purchased a short term treasury bond fund. Luckily, the stock market went up a bit today and my capital gain went up a bit accordingly, too.

というわけで、今日は一日中、株価が気になってそわそわ。仕事が手につかない一日だった。しかも、別件の大ニュース（来月にでも説明します）も飛び込んできて、いつになくイベントフルな日。お客様とのディナーもあったのだけど、2日間、ジムに行ってなかったので、今晩、近所のジムへ。

That's why, I was so jittery today and couldn't focus on my work all day long. In addition, I got quite big news--I'll explain about this news in April. It was a really eventful day.

Tonight I had dinner with my clients, but since I didn't go to the gym last two days, I kicked my ass to hit the tread mill and lift some weights.

家を出るとき、とにかくいろんなことがあったなぁ～と回想しながら歩いてると、ふと、なんだか今日はこれだけでは終わらないような予感が。虫の知らせっていうか、第6感っていうか、霊感というか・・・。みょーに、誰かにジムで声を掛けられそうな予感。

When leaving my home, I recalled what happened today. Then, without any reasons, I thought something else was going to happen at the gym tonight. It was kind of the 6th sense. In Japanese, it's called "mushino shirase" which means a signal from insects. Or, it's called "reikan" which literally means a "ghost sense." It's a supernatural perception to foresee things. So tonight I had a feeling that I may be spoken to by someone at the gym.

ジムに到着したら、夜10時ということもあり、人もまばら。いつものメニューをこなしてると、やっぱり予感的中。突然Lukeに声を掛けられた。

When I got to the gym, there were not many people since it was already 10pm. I was doing routine work but my prediction was right. Luke spoke to me out of the blue.

Lukeに会うのはもう何年ぶり？ってくらいのご無沙汰。僕をホリデー・ガール呼ばわりした彼です。この回のブログをご覧あれ。この回のブログにもLukeが登場してる。多分、これが最後に会ったときだと思うから、かれこれ2年と4ヶ月ぶり・・・。Lukeは30歳になったとかで、去年、転職も果たして今はNPOで働いてるとか。時は流れる・・・。

It's been a few years since I saw him last. He called me a "holiday girl" a few years ago because he only called me up on holidays--because his then boyfriend had to work on holidays and Luke needed someone to hang out with. I wrote when we met in 2004 and 2005 in my past postings. So, it's been 2 years and 4 months since I saw him last... Last October he turned 30 years old, he said! He also switched a job last year to work for an NPO. Time flies...

それにしても、自分の霊感に驚き。株価も、今日、売り抜けておいて正解だといいのだけれど・・・。

At any rate, I was surprised by my own ESP. I hope that I was right about selling all my stocks today too.

スーパーチューズデー Super Tuesday

今日は、テキサス州とオハイオ州で大統領候補者選びの投票が行われます。ヒラリーとオバマは、これで民主党の代表になれるかどうかが決まりそうで、こっちでは相当盛り上がってる。LGBTに対する政策は、どっちがいいのか気になるところだけど、今年は前回の大統領選と違って、経済問題とか移民問題とか山積なので、同性結婚の話題はほとんど聞かない・・・残念なことだ。

Today people in Texas and Ohio are voting for presidential nominees. It looks like either Hillary or Obama will be confirmed as a democratic candidate depending on who will win in these two states, so there's a fuss. I am curious which candidate has better policy against LGBT community but this issue is put on back burner because there are many other issues such as economy and immigration reform. That's a pity.

ジェームスは、州の所得税がないテキサスを居住地として登録してるので、免許証もテキサス州発行だし、今回の投票もテキサス州でするらしい。遠隔投票の青色の用紙が、郵便で届いてた。ジェームスが、「ヒラリーとオバマだったらどっちに投票する？」なんて聞いてきたので、今の勢いからすると、オバマ優勢かなぁと思って、「オバマ」って答えておいた。そしたら、昨日になって、「オバマに投票しといた」って返事。え、もしかして僕の意見で投票相手を決めてたりした？

James (a.k.a. my former b/f and current best friend) has registered as a resident in Texas, so he has a Texas driver's license and will vote as a Texan today. Since he is actually living with me in the East Coast, he used an absentee ballot. The other day, he got a blue envelope for that. James asked me, "Which would you vote, Hillary or Obama?" I replied, "Obama" because he has been winning straight through last several states. Yesterday, James told me that he actually voted for Obama. Did he decide because of what I said?

ジェームスも、ヒラリーとオバマの両者で決めかねてたらしく、政策も似てるし、両方、マイノリティー（女性、黒人）だし、民主党なので、どっちでもいいっちゃーいいらしい。同性結婚についても、両者の立場はよくわかんないし。マケインに勝てそうな候補者っていうので考えて、国会議員暦の短いオバマのほうが、ワシントンＤＣのロビイストとかの結びつきが少なそうで、汚い過去がなさそうなオバマのほうが有利かなぁっていうのもオバマを選んだ一因とか。ただ、昨晩、オバマと汚職容疑をかけられた人物とのつながりが報道されてたけど・・・。

James seemed to find it difficult to choose between Hillary and Obama. Their policies are similar, both of them are minorities (as a woman and black man), but both democrat. So, it does not matter really. Their standing points are not clear about same sex marriage. So a factor that Obama has a shorter history in Washington, DC and looks less corrupt since he seems not to have a close relationship with lobbyists and other interest groups, making him a better candidate against McCain.　Though, last night a man who was charged for a corruption was reported to have a close relationship with Obama...

アメリカで同性結婚が合法化されるといいなー。けど、僕は、その前にグリーンカードがそろそろ取れそうっす。昨日、国務省の掲示板でグリーンカードの発行時期を見てみたら、2005年1月になって僕のPD(プライオリティー・デイト)がカレントになってた！これが続けば、あとはI-140が処理されれば晴れて永住権が手に入ります。

I hope that the same sex marriage will be enacted soon. But it seems I will get a green card before that. When I checked the State Department Bulletin yesterday, my Priority Date was current! If this PD remains or proceeds next few months and my I-140 is approved, I will get my permanent residency status finally.