Closing Time

Friday evening, and I just learned of the passing of Leonard Cohen, a great poet and songwriter (and singer, in my opinion, at least).

Rather unusually for me these days, after getting in after midnight last night...well, this morning, actually... following a late session at a yakitori place, I decided to listen to/watch some old rock and blues performances on YouTube. After succumbing many times to the temptation of "just one more" link to Clapton, or Knopfler, or Beck, or many others, while sipping more whisky than was entirely wise on a weekday, I finally gave in as it started getting light outside.

Turning in at six and getting up at eight is not as easily done since I became middle aged: these reminders that I'm not 18 anymore are truly annoying. Nevertheless, it seemed fitting to end the session with Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, and then Closing Time, and a silent toast to Mr. Cohen with the last of the whisky before going to sleep.

I didn't know 12 hours ago that it was a "goodbye" toast as well as the usual "thank you for the pleasure you've provided me, and the thoughts you've provoked, over the years" toast.

Cheers, Mr. Cohen, and thanks.

Dismay

I am extremely disappointed to see what my fellow American citizens--a sufficient number of them, anyway--have seen fit to elect as their president. 

I hope that my expectations of even darker days for the United States and for the rest of the world are overly pessimistic, so for once I am eager to be proved wrong. 

I am not at all sanguine, however.

Tempus Fugit

As of today I've been working for a year at my regular editing job with Honda Staffing Services.

The job is basically every weekday afternoon, and so far it has been a good one. The work itself is interesting, the office is quiet, comfortable, and conveniently located, and my colleagues are all friendly and helpful.

Thus it was good news when, after our return from the Golden Week holidays, the boss took me aside and informed me that I can expect a new one-year contract soon. Apparently they're as satisfied with me as I am with them.

I continue to do freelance work of various kinds, but it's nice to have a regular, reliable source of work (and income). I'm looking forward to the next year, and probably several years thereafter.

Time flies, though: it certainly doesn't feel as if an entire year has gone by since I started working at Honda.