Time passes

Months ago, we were talking about political protest in class (I didn't choose the textbook) and I mentioned that my birthday is the day after the US invaded Ira, so for several years my birthday plans involved marching, candllight vigils, or something similar. They remembered and looked it when the invasion was, and yesterday I was serenaded by my students. They were really sweet about it, and gave me what I really wanted; students talking in class. Gave my sore throat a needed rest. Neither class I had on friday liked what we were reading, but they worked pretty hard to understand it. Did a preview of the next reading, which is about first loves, and they find it interesting, but seem to be signalling they will deny having ever been attracted to anyone or feeling any longing for any young men (or young women, for the couple of guys I have). This will be rough.


Mentioned the girl who wept while singing "I Try" when I left. She's normally very busy with work and being a mom, but told me i was spending my birthday with her. Turns out she was correct, at least for a few hours. She is fuuny. She's never free when I call and doesn't respond often to messages, but is worried i don't call enough. I guess it's possible we'd stay in touch for 7 years and then lose touch when I move back here, but I'd not recommend betting that way.

After a dinner with a woman who is all sweetness and light (at least with me), went to Friends. Someone from facebook wished me a Happy Birthday, which led to one of the bartenders providing me with food and beer for a bit, and arranging for the band to sing Happy Birthday and a song of my choosing (Right Na na Na, if you're curious. I love the new Akon). I enjoyed the food and drink much more than being sung at.

The same bartender (some of you also teach English. Is she a bartender, or a bartendrix? Is there a greater possibly real word in the English language?) has made it clear I'm too much at home there. I haven't been going much lately, heading out with Chinese friends, staying home, or heading to the irish bar for foreigner bowling night. On St Patrick's Day, I was in the Irish bar, and got a few text messages from her, as she was bored. Apparently when every foreigner heads to a differen bar, Friends is a dull place on a Tuesday. She alternated between telling me how boring it was and trying to convince me that i should go there, as it would be fun. Eventually, she realized the simple way of getting me to switch bars was to offer me a few free drinks, which was enough to get me to head over. That, and i do like Betty. The staff there is always cool and often underappreciated by their clients. I've talked to enough of them that they seem like real people, and not just a way of getting beer from across the room. Still, I'm kind of worried. We've established that she can write me when bored and lure me to the bar with beer. I'm not sure that's a good relationship between her and my liver.