A plea for assistance

So,

I promised that I would make the following request...

My grandmother, Lilian, has no access to the internet, however, she wants to be informed about this blogs' goings-on. I told her that I would ask you to call and read to her what I have written. If you are busy, then maybe you can do it for a future blog posting. If and when you do call, pelase introduce yourself and let her know how you know me and maybe read it to her for the brief time.

I appreciate your help!

Lilian Suslow- (949) 699-6617

Tell her I say hi!

Jamate,
Dave

Leaving Los Angeles- second post today, check below!

Sheryl Crow's song was almost perfect for this post, title-wise... but I had to change it up. For the record, she is still an amazing musician and simply gorgeous. If only I could find a way to tell her!

I decided to post twice today in order to orgranize my thoughts and pictures...

I wrote the follwing this morning:

"I feel ill-prepared for this experience, so I am trying to make myself feel better by justifying my bitter attitude. It's how I deal with being nervous, anxious, etc. But I am fired up to get through this orientation, and I shouldnt shut off to my fellow co-workers despite getting irritated by their travel naivety. Maybe it's my jealousy too because some of them speak Japanese very well already... no worries, they are them and I am me and I am in TOKYO right now. Gotta go explore and meet more people (albiet painful sometimes) and see this world!"

Enjoy another round of pictures, from LA baby...

(Shayna and I in Santa Monica)

(Groupies [Barry and Chris and I] playing with the band's equipment)


(Boitano and I going to the Prom)


(Dzuy and Julie)


(Yeah, I AM sitting with Drew McCrary... he is a bashful guy... for a hand model)


(We'd be planning the wedding if I were in SoCal...[Me and Reut])

(Ali and Austin drove down from San Francisco just to make sure I was leaving the country!)

(It was a great night friends... see you soon!)

I'll share with you the same plea that I told some friends at the going away in LA the other night: "Keep bringing the same peace to the world that you have brought to me throughout our time of friendship."

You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

This title was inspired by Ben-Jamin' Schechteezy for slamming The Beatles into my ears a couple of weeks ago, and indirectly from Ali Mostafavi who started it all.

As I was getting nostalgic about leaving and i posted that John Denver serenade, I remember that I hadnt left yet. All of the following pictures reflect that I love California and all of my amazing family members and the best friends that the world has to offer... that's right- you (And this will continue in the FORMER/NEXT [depends on the formatting] post too- farewell party pix...)

I am in Tokyo right now, got here yesterday. Met up with Dan Smith(ers), a fraternity brother who has been here for a year and a half. Good things he speaks Japanese, cause I am lost. But managed to navigate through downtown Tokyo to meet him, without many problems... so I expect to face other problems later since i have been so fortunate through now.

(Dan and I at dinner last night!)

(Wayne and Brian at La Jolla Shores)

(Grandparents and me overlooking La Jolla Shores)

(from L to R: Charlie the dog, Jake the brother- yes that IS a 6-pack!)

(Mom and Me- I will call this one, "Twins")

(Hillary and I at her new HOUSE in San Diego!)

I have some more pictures coming in the next post (or maybe they will show up above this one, i dunno)

from the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, Japan...

"Ja-Mata" (Soon)

One day to rock out in Los Angeles and then...

see you at McCabe's on 2455 W. Santa Monica Blvd tonight (FRIDAY)... i'll show up when i get there, aiming for 10pm, but i'll be running on the usual schedule- late and loving life.

And then the corniness begins; please reflect (RIP- JD), and the addiction continues to Japan...

"
All my bags are packed
Im ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin
Its early morn
The taxis waitin
Hes blowin his horn
Already Im so lonesome
I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go cause

Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Theres so many times Ive let you down
So many times Ive played around
I tell you now, they dont mean a thing

Evry place I go, Ill think of you
Evry song I sing, Ill sing for you
When I come back, Ill bring your wedding ring (most likely not!)

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go cause

Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
"

Anxiety

It has been a week again! Damn. I have been meaning to write for four days, but I haven’t had enough hours in the day. This is not just an excuse; I have been averaging four hours a night. It’s crazy because sometimes I find myself living in a dream, often a nightmare, but a surreal world regardless… most of the time it’s just fun because I am so tired. This is healthy, trust me. Life is too short to waste, and to precious to count, so I have gone into sleep deprivation mode… this changes on Saturday though.

(picture above of the tiny Irvine/SWR AZA reunion last weekend, from L to R: Brad, Tamir, Warren, Rock, Jeff, Wayne. Dean showed up and so did Harrie Cohen)


After knowing since April 1st that I would be going to Japan for the upcoming school year, I have been traveling and putsing around to close of life on this continent for a while. Here you go: I was hired as an assistant language teacher (of English) to work for the prefecture of Fukuoka. I will be living/teaching in Kurume City which is a suburb of Fukuoka City. If you look on a map, you can find me on the northern part of the southern island of Japan. Yes, I am far from Tokyo and other major tourist attractions… but with my own apartment, I can finally be a host… After having slept on your couches for years, I am ready to repay any and all (and their friends) who come to my three room apartment in Kurume. I don’t know how big this will be, but you have a bed and whatever translation help I can muster together by the time you arrive!

I am anxious because I am about to touch down in a completely foreign situation. What else is new you might ask? The language is the number one. I have been trying to get through some of it, but five lessons were only enough to get me to remember how to say hello. Better than nothing. Fortunately, I have had a wonderful teacher who has been very patient with my poor study habits and general busy-ness. Anxious because I have to pack for a year, because I have to buy clothes (which I haven’t done in 4 years- honestly), because I will be leaving my attachments in the trash or in the hands of thrift stores (less my photo albums which are still preserved in Irvine) and taking only the things that can help me for a year in Japan… yes, Anxious because I will be there for a year. Anxious because my family (including the famous black Labrador, Charlie!) will be here and I will be far away. Anxious because so many friends will be 16 hours away on the phone.

I am still in Irvine for a day or two- today Jake and I are going to the Angel’s game and then I will pack more. Tomorrow consists of packing. And then up to LA… so if you are around, then come out and have some fun…

Special shots go out to my mother because she is an amazing woman. I haven’t been able to really spend much time with her this time around (especially in comparison to other stints at home) because she has just started a business. I swear I was gone for only three months and this thing is about to take off. Only a strong, charming, well-put-together person could make this happen… and she did!

Check it out here: http://www.takecareanywhere.com/

See you soon!

July 27th, Los Angeles, Party with Strich

I will blog about this soon, but I am leaving for Japan... and for a year... and out of LAX on Saturday morning.

I have a program orientation on Friday till 9pm near LAX, and then I plan to go out. Yeah, me, out on the town after years of not doing it...

so come take a load off, shoot some pool, take a drink, you know, 10ish? I'll be late, as always, but there are apparently no lines... at least no major waits to get in, so come hang out and love life.

At the suggestion of the beautiful Lauren Boitano (sort of like Vanna White, but different), I hope to be chillin with pool tables, shuffleboard and a more mellow time (until the booze kicks in of course) at McCabe's... at 2455 Santa Monica Blvd, in West LA/Santa Monica... west-side!

10ish till the cows come home... or until I board a flight at 8:45 the next morning... but you can and should keep partying of course.

I'll post this on my blog too and the facebook thing... and bring folks... and no, McCabe's has no idea we are coming and I havent arranged for drinks to be comped either... it just sounded like a nice place to enjoy a Friday night...

see you there or in a year!

Dave "Struple" "Q-ball" "Strich" "Dave" "Strizzle" "LaDave" Strich

Wildfire and the gorgeous Sierra Nevada Moutnains

We got up early two Saturdays ago and drove up 395 towards Bishop. We were stopped at Lone Pine, as there was a 24,000 acres forest fire between us and the trailhead. So, we ordered a pizza and headed to Whitney Portal (elevation 8367 feet) to sleep the night. This was my third time there in three years, but there were no thoughts of ascent this time… just memories of summiting with Dad last year. 22 miles in one day to reach the highest peak in the continental US… but then I cut open my toes, so that all was forgotten.

Who is “us, we, the group?” Hailing from Plano Texas, Ben “the Artist formerly known as Prince” Schechter, Loren “the Energizer Bunny” Matilsky out of the Finger Lakes in New York state, Gideon “Old Naked Guy” Strich out of retirement and me: “Puss in Boots” (you know, the old fairy tale about the cat…) from the Planet Earth made up the great group of four who battled the altitude, elements and Sierra Nevada mountains last week. We definitely did battle, but for the most part we just enjoyed a good walk in the woods with some backpacks for 7 days.

The pictures will show a couple of thoughts… but here are some clarifications:

(1) Sierra Nevada Mountains should not be called the “Sierras.” It is implied as a mountain range, hence a group of mountains. To use this word in the plural means to designate multiple ranges… incorrect and a sloppy use of Spanglish at its best.

(2) We started at 9500 ft and ended at 9000 feet. This is a “net elevation loss” of 500 feet. But we climbed three passes, averaging 11750 feet, so this was not an “easy-going downhill cruise.”

(3) Seven days denotes a week. This was a week-LONG trip. Not a “weak” one.

To conclude: We did not go on a weak, easy-going, downhill cruise in the Sierras. Ben, Loren, Dad and I discovered, through the ups and downs of granite and schist passes, amazing parts of the Sierra over the course of seven days.

Highlights include artistic expressions, wonderful meals, skinny dipping in ice-water at 11,000 feet and jolly good laughs.

I have been told by a couple of readers/ friends that they want to read emotions and feelings as opposed to facts and truisms. Please give me feedback and let me know what you think. I want to write from all sorts of angles, and frankly, I feel that maybe I am being a bit dry by replacing “real” human thoughts mere facts. But I also don’t want to waste your time… give me a quick note at: d.strich@gmail.com and tell me what you think, ‘ppreciate it!

Soon

Beachy time

I realized that I haven't been in Southern California during the summer in the past couple of years. I keep coming back to Irvine, but it is at "off" times and my beach access is limited (by my self, or simply, me).. and with Loren in town, I have been taking advantage of having an excuse to go to Newport and Huntington more often than normal.

Oren is in town as he decides to go back East or hang out in California sun all summer. And Laura, in from Argentina, is living at her sister's in Huntington... so, we have been beaching it, needless to say. And yesterday all of this culminated with a beach excursion (see fotos) and me along with (tongue-twister) Laura, Oren and Loren. Made it easy, no?

The fourth of July came and passed as it always does... the artificiality of fireworks is wonderful, except that the people next door were cheering--- i thought that was kind of lame. Maybe I am just spoiled; the sounds of natural thunder crashes doesn't really have any comparison. Last summer I watched a lightning storm basically occur on top of my head, as I sat in awe in the Paria River Canyon in Southwest Utah... talk about a real fireworks show... BUT, I was able to enjoy a wonderful afternoon at Kellen's place (thanks dude!) and to hang out with Blake and Bonnie and crew...

In 45 minutes we (Loren, Dad, Ben and I) leave for an 8-day trek in the eastern Sierra. We are going to head to Bishop and then due west until the North Lake trailhead... we are going in a loop to the South Lake (go figure) via the Evolution Valley... this is the heart of the John Muir Trail (JMT). My dad has been talking about it for years, and finally the time has come. Loren is getting used to backpacking (now he gets to experience the other major half of California- we're not just beaches you know), Ben is psyched, Dad is ready, and I just hope that my boots don't give me the blisters they always do. I am getting pressured to help load the cars as I write this, but I wanted to get another post out while I could!

Wishing you a wonderful week... I expect the 64-miles in 7-8 days will be a challenge for each of the members of this excursion. We will each have our own ghosts with whom to reconcile and our individual physical feats to overcome. I love the outdoors and this backcountry experience... it is the raw survival of sticking together and figuring out the thoughts that haunt men, which they are normally too busy to deal with... well now, it is just us, our food and gear and the Sierra.

Soon (9 days, more or less),

Family, Man Weekend, Reading, Happy 4th of July

Ok I admit it. The picture with Jake and I is a farce… I was standing on a curb. I admit this too: my brother, 8 years my junior, outweighs me, is taller than me and can, for the first time ever, pin me for an extended period of time. Fortunately, this is my blog and I can toot my horn, so I will also admit that I will always be cleverer- and now I have to be or he’ll just beat me up!

My cousin Loren arrived after my last blog post and he is here from upstate New York for 2.5 weeks. He already loves California, why not, and his wanted to explore is a great reminder that this place is awesome. We have gone on walks with the dog around beautiful Turtle Rock and spend mornings at 17th Street in Newport… soon he will be a great body-boarder… I even got on a board today to show him the basics… and like Jake, he will soon put me to shame, despite his only being 14 years old. We are already planning a bike trip to the Newport Back Bay so we can dork out with birds and binoculars. It’s awesome to get outside and to see my younger family members so active and loving the outdoors!

And speaking of outdoors, I arranged for a group of five to enjoy the beautiful San Gorgonio peak in the local mountains. We rocked an overnight to Dry Lake (which is really dry even this early in the season); it is a hike of six miles and the same amount out- usually this takes six hours each way, as we hike from 5500 to 9150 feet. Instead of the normal time, Jon, Ben, Drew, Gideon and I arrived after a mere four hours… and got back in even less time. We had a blast over this “Man Weekend,” tossing the disc around, digging holes, and even drinking cold beer at the top… who says dry ice isn’t useful? I would like to add that it was the first booze I touched in exactly three months. I am happy about that stretch of time and looking forward to the next one.

Two pictures above are from the weekend. I haven’t been writing as much, but this blog has forced me to type something up. If you don’t read on a regular basis, then use this blog to assist you every couple of days. If you really like to read, then you should pick up A Man Without a Country, a novel by Kurt Vonnegut. His short stories in Bagombo Snuff Box are fabulous too. These books are simply on point. AND, if you don’t read at all, then please close this window and quit your job.

And more importantly, please have a safe July 4th this Wednesday… there will be all sorts of drunken idiots out there. If you plan to be one of these inebriated buffoons, then throw your keys in the ocean and leave your foul mouth and fists in the dresser before you begin drinking at 9am.