Prangster in Chicago

Her first records

I haven't seen these records in 15, maybe 20 years. We thought they'd been lost forever. But actually they were in the time capsule underneath the bed in the study of my grandparents' apartment. All this time, that's where they were.
When I was a kid, I went through most of the drawers and cupboards in that study, thinking maybe I'd find the stash. Never did. I always got distracted looking through all the old family photo albums. That room really is a time capsule.
In the top one, her first record, my mum's only 18. What was I doing at 18? At 20? Nothing like this. I can't wait to listen to them.





I love how this one is so 70s. She should've been wearing dorky black-rimmed reading glasses.

The surprise

Right now I'm in the United Lounge at Narita Airport, en route to Taipei to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday. He has no idea I'm coming. I was on the phone with him earlier this week and he told me to book a ticket to go back for a visit already. I told him I'd think about it. Maybe August, probably September, I said. That was a little cruel of me, but it means the surprise is gonna be even more awesome.

They have self-service beer on tap at the United Lounge. The machine automatically tilts the glass. Yeah, I like Japan a lot.

Update: I almost gave my dad a heart attack!

En route to Grand Canyon

 

Lincoln Square