Post 1: Everything is Closing, Apparently

Timer set to 30 min:

I went out to Harajuku yesterday to get my hair done. It’s been just over a week and the only thing right now that makes me really sad is waking up in the morning and knowing that I have to leave. I know I won’t miss the massive crowds and the stuffed trains, but I will miss this apartment and the accessibility of Tokyo.

There are so many interested nooks and crannies in Tokyo. You wanna go to an art store, jump on a train, or a bus…hell, I could even walk over there. One of the biggest and best art stores around: Sekaidao (best place on the planet for artists). You want some neat new inventive stuff? Try the Loft or Tokyu Hands. They are all over the place!!! Sleek shit? Muji. Cool home stuff? There is a store for that too.

Back to Harajuku. I was early to the hair appointment by about an hour and a half. When I first started going to Volume (the hair salon) I used to grab a latte or some sort of beverage at a cute little cafe across the “street”. I say “street” because it was about 3 steps before I was across it. The cafe was called Detour a Bleu. I used to get my hair done on the weekends since I worked late on weekdays. It was so sweet and they sold little artsy things that people around Tokyo made. It had a bit of a British feel. The furniture was antique, but restored and quaint. Giant windows with all sorts of cute decorations. About a year ago, they changed their times to be only open durning weekdays. I thought it was for only a short time, but it was for long term.

Now that I do not have a job, I thought about going there and being able to enjoy the atmosphere. When I arrived, I found that they closed their doors for good 2 days ago. Dafuq. I was heartbroken. I then immediately thought of how this could be a sign for me that now is the right time to move on.

I then decided to walk around and look for some sunglasses. I need some sunglasses. It is bright as fuck out. I went back to the corner next to one of a billion thrift shops and saw a couple stores. Oakley. They make sun glasses. Too chunky. I continue walking this path not turning back. Another store: too expensive. Keep walking. Another store: too heavy. Keep walking, walking, walking.

I go in store after store, but they are all chunky, expensive, heavy sunglasses that will cause more sweat than will protect my eyes. I decide to go back to where my salon is, since it is getting close to time, and I want a coffee from the quiet hidden Starbucks. I finally make it back to the area where my hair salon is and I head towards Starbucks. Only, it’s not Starbucks…..it closed the fuck down! It’s now some sort of sport-Reebok-Pizza place. WUT?!?! Are you kidding me!? Now I am mad….because this place is not even open yet AND I NEED SOME COFFEE, YO! And not one of those artisan coffees where I order a large and get a 4oz cup of concentrated bean juice.

At this point, I know I do not have much time, but there is a Family Mart close to the salon, and I will grab a “Creamy Latte” there. Just as I see the street I need to turn to on the Right, I see a store that I recognize from my previous times here and a branch of the same store I see in Nishi-Okubo, that I pass EVERY DAY to and from work. Well, I had done. It was Paris Miki. A fucking sunglasses store. Where was this store!? ACROSS THE STREE FROM THE OAKLEY STORE. All I had to do was turn my head left when I was standing next to the thrift store.

I went in, found some killer sunglasses that have not caused a headache (yet), and not super expensive….expensive by my normal rite-aid standards, but these should do well.

I am now rushing. I need my fluids from Family Mart. I go in, NO FUCKING CREAMY LATTE. I now know, I must leave Japan. All the signs equal “GTFO, Bish. It’s time to GO!” So, I got myself a Mitsuya Cider and a Snickers….because I was not myself and Snickers commercials guarantee to return you to your normal programming. It’s true, I saw it on TV. Before Youtube was a thing.

I got my hair done, by my stylist, who is cool as hell. And I feel pretty good. I am still sad when I woke up that I won’t have my little burrow of an apartment too much longer. I want to work through that. I just get sad though. Things are closing….things are changing….as they do. I’ll be ready for it. I just don’t want to spend my whole time here preparing for it. I just keep thinking of all the changes…

Jesus, please do not close Sekaido.