February 22
Well, I had the graduation party today for our students on a chilly cloudy day. We had it in our current venue of choid, C-AMBER, a somewhat incongruous restaurant of slickness and style surrounded by the usual Starbucks clones and down-and-dirty izakayas in the Ichigaya district.
Pretty much everyone showed up who was to graduate, and we had a larger-than-usual turnout of teachers to see them off. A couple of our grads came in full kimono, a common form of dress for women graduating from college or university in Japan. I had the MC duties as I've been having for the past 5 years, and we dutifully handed out the diplomas. Then came speeches from all the grads. One particularly had everyone, including this author, on the edge of their seats as the speaker, with a brilliant combination of pregnant pauses, expressions and giggling, described her very first lesson with little ol' me. Whew! Bullet averted. Then we had our musical performances from a student and teacher before we all broke up.
Of course, this being Japan, that didn't end the day's events. Of course, we had to follow up on the nijikai, or second party. So we went down the block to the neighbourhood karaoke box for a couple of hours of singing, and then there was the final stage at the izakaya. The past year's students were a good crew and there were a few misty pairs of eyes when it was finally time to say good-bye but at least some enterprising new alumni decided to keep the good times rolling by suggesting a day trip out to a local mountain next month.
Just a place to deposit my thoughts on life here in the Kanto and about anything else that sticks to my walls.
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Friday, February 21, 2003
February 22
The aftermath of the resignation invovled having the managers approaching me to see if I would change my mind. I would say that I could come back in a "cameo" appearance. They weren't too happy but then again, I haven't been too happy with them for the past few years. However, now that the news is slowly leaking out about my long goodbye (I had to the school 3 months' notice), some offers are starting to come in. Nice to be needed.
It wasn't an especially busy week hours-wise but Friday was pretty intense with a round of term-end level checks and then having the penultimate class with the City Hall people; half of them were giving presentations in English which were keeping them up nights in preparations. Happily, everything went well and we celebrated long into the night at a local izakaya and then a karaoke box. Parties to celebrate or to commemorate the end of something don't often stop with just one party, especially if things come off on a successful note.
I'll be repeating the same thing today as I head off to my school's graduation party; and I think it's very possible that I may find myself in three parties. Again, nice to be needed. However, the balance to all this is a 4-day Intensive at a training centre for one of the government ministries. The theme: listening. I should be quite out of my head by Thursday night.
The aftermath of the resignation invovled having the managers approaching me to see if I would change my mind. I would say that I could come back in a "cameo" appearance. They weren't too happy but then again, I haven't been too happy with them for the past few years. However, now that the news is slowly leaking out about my long goodbye (I had to the school 3 months' notice), some offers are starting to come in. Nice to be needed.
It wasn't an especially busy week hours-wise but Friday was pretty intense with a round of term-end level checks and then having the penultimate class with the City Hall people; half of them were giving presentations in English which were keeping them up nights in preparations. Happily, everything went well and we celebrated long into the night at a local izakaya and then a karaoke box. Parties to celebrate or to commemorate the end of something don't often stop with just one party, especially if things come off on a successful note.
I'll be repeating the same thing today as I head off to my school's graduation party; and I think it's very possible that I may find myself in three parties. Again, nice to be needed. However, the balance to all this is a 4-day Intensive at a training centre for one of the government ministries. The theme: listening. I should be quite out of my head by Thursday night.
Monday, February 17, 2003
February 17
After a weekend of relative comfort because of the rain, the hay fever came back today. The mask did help but I did need to do a bit of nose wiping from time to time.
Well, let's see....I officially resigned from my company of 5 years last Friday although I'll have to continue working until mid-May there. Not too bad since it'll give me time to get my future plans together. Hopefully, I won't have to face too much more of those late-night and early-morning classes. I gave the admin staff a rather bad shock, though.
After a weekend of relative comfort because of the rain, the hay fever came back today. The mask did help but I did need to do a bit of nose wiping from time to time.
Well, let's see....I officially resigned from my company of 5 years last Friday although I'll have to continue working until mid-May there. Not too bad since it'll give me time to get my future plans together. Hopefully, I won't have to face too much more of those late-night and early-morning classes. I gave the admin staff a rather bad shock, though.
Thursday, February 13, 2003
February 13
More bad news...hay fever is in full swing in Japan. And true to my luck, I reside in the prefecture with one of the largest counts of cedar forests whose pollen is responsible for most of the Japanese version. I've been going through most of my tissue with the speed of a Bullet Train, and ingesting medicine and Halls. I've even gone native and bought myself the mask that most people over here wear when they've caught a cold. It looks just like a surgical mask, and I've seen quite a lot of pseudo-doctors and nurses on the trains and in the streets. The problem is that it doesn't really matter; the subways and trains with their usual 200% of capacity during rush hours are living germ farms!
Also, Tokyo may be facing the same rolling blackouts that California did a couple of years ago. It seems as if TEPCO, the Tokyo version of ConEd, has to shut down some of its nuclear reactors because of a scandal involving false inspection checks. If that happens, a lot of Tokyo goes dark this summer. Already the ads have been popping out pleading with us to conserve energy. I think most people would like to conserve energy just so that they can give these TEPCO morons some whup-ass.
On the good side of things, the media has been buzzing about the Hayao Miyazaki anime flick, "Spirited Away" getting an Oscar nod this year. Plus, Japan's latest export, Godzilla Matsui, has been on every TV for the past several weeks.
More bad news...hay fever is in full swing in Japan. And true to my luck, I reside in the prefecture with one of the largest counts of cedar forests whose pollen is responsible for most of the Japanese version. I've been going through most of my tissue with the speed of a Bullet Train, and ingesting medicine and Halls. I've even gone native and bought myself the mask that most people over here wear when they've caught a cold. It looks just like a surgical mask, and I've seen quite a lot of pseudo-doctors and nurses on the trains and in the streets. The problem is that it doesn't really matter; the subways and trains with their usual 200% of capacity during rush hours are living germ farms!
Also, Tokyo may be facing the same rolling blackouts that California did a couple of years ago. It seems as if TEPCO, the Tokyo version of ConEd, has to shut down some of its nuclear reactors because of a scandal involving false inspection checks. If that happens, a lot of Tokyo goes dark this summer. Already the ads have been popping out pleading with us to conserve energy. I think most people would like to conserve energy just so that they can give these TEPCO morons some whup-ass.
On the good side of things, the media has been buzzing about the Hayao Miyazaki anime flick, "Spirited Away" getting an Oscar nod this year. Plus, Japan's latest export, Godzilla Matsui, has been on every TV for the past several weeks.
Monday, February 10, 2003
February 10
I gather that the Force is indeed not with me these past few days. My computer is starting to die a slow death, my vacuum cleaner sucks up a neglected Phantom Menace Pepsi bottlecap which permanently plugs up the hose, my TV's audio fades in and out, and my wash gets an unnecessary rinse after an unforecast squall makes a surprise appearance. Well, at least, I've got Constitution Day tomorrow; Japan basically celebrates a birtthday which means all of us can sleep in.
I gather that the Force is indeed not with me these past few days. My computer is starting to die a slow death, my vacuum cleaner sucks up a neglected Phantom Menace Pepsi bottlecap which permanently plugs up the hose, my TV's audio fades in and out, and my wash gets an unnecessary rinse after an unforecast squall makes a surprise appearance. Well, at least, I've got Constitution Day tomorrow; Japan basically celebrates a birtthday which means all of us can sleep in.
Sunday, February 09, 2003
February 9
Well, the weekend was certainly an expensive one...even by Tokyo standards. Last night, we had a farewell party for a couple of students who had decided to drop out of our school. We went over to a large entertainment complex in Shinjuku. Our first stop was dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub). Now, the characteristics of a typical izakaya is that the food is edible, the beer is flowing, and most importantly, the prices are cheap.. However, this place only fulfilled the first two; some of us were rather shocked to find ourselves pulling 5000 yen ($47 US) from our wallets.
Next stop, as is usually the case with our student-teacher outings, was karaoke at the local Big Echo box just one flight below. Now, Saturdays often entail a higher hourly rate for use of their singing chambers. And to be honest, we did imbibe quite a few beers, and gin & tonics. I had to pull out of there about 45 minutes before everyone else did so that I could get my train home (at 11 p.m.!...for the largest city on the planet, Tokyo transit closes up obscenely early). A friend from last night's binge met me and a couple of others today for lunch; he was kind enough to cover me so I got quite the financial jolt when he told me that the cost for singing and drinking was another 5000 yen. Urk!
Anyways, things were a bit more reasonable today as the four of us went out for a buffet lunch at the Farm Grill. However, the usual convivial atmosphere at the Grill was rather lost this time as the very harried and tense staff had to handle multiple bus tours of Chinese tourists. It wasn't just the crowds but also the culture clash between the locals and the tourists; knowing the hustle and bustle, take-no-prisoners attitude of Hong Kong from friends, and my own experiences in Chinatown back home, I was accustomed to the tourists butting into line and checking if the waffles were ready by opening up the iron. However, the staff and the surrounding locals were absolutely scandalized by the manners. Again, just one of those example of culture clash. Live and learn.
Afterwards, the four of us went down to Shibuya to see Luc Besson's latest (as a producer, not as a director), The Transporter with Mr. Madonna's favorite, Jason Statham. The story was not very deep and the ending was limp, but all in all, a good popcorn movie. The gimmick of a transporter was interesting to note, especially in the first half, and Statham gave a pretty good performance as the stoic Frank.
Well, back to the salt mines from tomorrow.
Well, the weekend was certainly an expensive one...even by Tokyo standards. Last night, we had a farewell party for a couple of students who had decided to drop out of our school. We went over to a large entertainment complex in Shinjuku. Our first stop was dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub). Now, the characteristics of a typical izakaya is that the food is edible, the beer is flowing, and most importantly, the prices are cheap.. However, this place only fulfilled the first two; some of us were rather shocked to find ourselves pulling 5000 yen ($47 US) from our wallets.
Next stop, as is usually the case with our student-teacher outings, was karaoke at the local Big Echo box just one flight below. Now, Saturdays often entail a higher hourly rate for use of their singing chambers. And to be honest, we did imbibe quite a few beers, and gin & tonics. I had to pull out of there about 45 minutes before everyone else did so that I could get my train home (at 11 p.m.!...for the largest city on the planet, Tokyo transit closes up obscenely early). A friend from last night's binge met me and a couple of others today for lunch; he was kind enough to cover me so I got quite the financial jolt when he told me that the cost for singing and drinking was another 5000 yen. Urk!
Anyways, things were a bit more reasonable today as the four of us went out for a buffet lunch at the Farm Grill. However, the usual convivial atmosphere at the Grill was rather lost this time as the very harried and tense staff had to handle multiple bus tours of Chinese tourists. It wasn't just the crowds but also the culture clash between the locals and the tourists; knowing the hustle and bustle, take-no-prisoners attitude of Hong Kong from friends, and my own experiences in Chinatown back home, I was accustomed to the tourists butting into line and checking if the waffles were ready by opening up the iron. However, the staff and the surrounding locals were absolutely scandalized by the manners. Again, just one of those example of culture clash. Live and learn.
Afterwards, the four of us went down to Shibuya to see Luc Besson's latest (as a producer, not as a director), The Transporter with Mr. Madonna's favorite, Jason Statham. The story was not very deep and the ending was limp, but all in all, a good popcorn movie. The gimmick of a transporter was interesting to note, especially in the first half, and Statham gave a pretty good performance as the stoic Frank.
Well, back to the salt mines from tomorrow.
Friday, February 07, 2003
February 7
If there were a day that perfectly befits the life of a indefatiguable English teacher in Japan, today would be it. Woke up in the wee hours of this morning to get some prep work done on a class at a nearby city hall, before heading out to the base school and opening it up. I made copies there and did some crossword puzzles before hitting my first class at a nearby printing plant.
Afterwards, I headed back to the base school at noon just to touch base for an evening Pancake Party (being Canadian, I decided to regale the kids about the wonders of maple syrup one month ahead of the Sugaring Off), before heading out on the train for an hour to the City Hall class.
I pulled off the City Hall class well enough. I came back to the base school and started the pancakes with the kids. Managed even to make some maple fondue. It's safe to say that we managed to increase everyone's cholesterol levels by a significant amount tonight.
Finally made it home. It's Miller Time!
If there were a day that perfectly befits the life of a indefatiguable English teacher in Japan, today would be it. Woke up in the wee hours of this morning to get some prep work done on a class at a nearby city hall, before heading out to the base school and opening it up. I made copies there and did some crossword puzzles before hitting my first class at a nearby printing plant.
Afterwards, I headed back to the base school at noon just to touch base for an evening Pancake Party (being Canadian, I decided to regale the kids about the wonders of maple syrup one month ahead of the Sugaring Off), before heading out on the train for an hour to the City Hall class.
I pulled off the City Hall class well enough. I came back to the base school and started the pancakes with the kids. Managed even to make some maple fondue. It's safe to say that we managed to increase everyone's cholesterol levels by a significant amount tonight.
Finally made it home. It's Miller Time!
Saturday, February 01, 2003
February 2
I've just caught live coverage on CNN of the breakup of the space shuttle Columbia. Of course, harkening back to the 1986 Challenger disaster is natural, but I also remember Columbia's launch as the first mission of any shuttle in history back in 1981. ABC's Frank Reynolds covered the nationwide coverage. Even a guy as unflappable as he was couldn't help whooping it up when it went up that day. Now, the oldest shuttle is gone.
I've just caught live coverage on CNN of the breakup of the space shuttle Columbia. Of course, harkening back to the 1986 Challenger disaster is natural, but I also remember Columbia's launch as the first mission of any shuttle in history back in 1981. ABC's Frank Reynolds covered the nationwide coverage. Even a guy as unflappable as he was couldn't help whooping it up when it went up that day. Now, the oldest shuttle is gone.
Friday, January 31, 2003
February 1
Finished a pretty busy week. I had to take care of some final student reports and then do some micromanaging of that mixed level class. I think out of all the classes that I do, that one drains me the most. Luckily, the students are nice and down-to-earth. I even got invited to their party later this month.
Tokyo is being double-whammied by 2 colds: the virus kind and the weather kind. So far, some of the teachers have been reporting a lot of their junior highs are calling off classes due to a 50% absence rate, and I see a lot of snifflers packed into the subways and trains. Can you say "virus breeding farm"? Also, it's been pretty chilly of late, and we've got a snow forecast for Sunday.
Finished a pretty busy week. I had to take care of some final student reports and then do some micromanaging of that mixed level class. I think out of all the classes that I do, that one drains me the most. Luckily, the students are nice and down-to-earth. I even got invited to their party later this month.
Tokyo is being double-whammied by 2 colds: the virus kind and the weather kind. So far, some of the teachers have been reporting a lot of their junior highs are calling off classes due to a 50% absence rate, and I see a lot of snifflers packed into the subways and trains. Can you say "virus breeding farm"? Also, it's been pretty chilly of late, and we've got a snow forecast for Sunday.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
January 30
Pretty tiring afternoon for me after handling that mixed-level class. It's one of those classic scenes of where one tries to please everyone and ends up pleasing noone. But perhaps I speak too harshly; some of them are getting something out of it. It doesn't help that there is a cold bug out there and it's just plain cold, period. I'm just glad that I got to come earlier than usual.
Pretty tiring afternoon for me after handling that mixed-level class. It's one of those classic scenes of where one tries to please everyone and ends up pleasing noone. But perhaps I speak too harshly; some of them are getting something out of it. It doesn't help that there is a cold bug out there and it's just plain cold, period. I'm just glad that I got to come earlier than usual.
Monday, January 27, 2003
January 27
As an addendum to the last paragraph of my last entry, one of my landmines managed not to explode today. The class went pretty well, but it was still one of those half-hearted ones with some spurts of learning and activity. Sure enough, today was cold and rainy. Now I can see how the Carpenters got their "Rainy Days and Mondays."
Well, at least, I did get to go to my favorite eatery today in the Ginza, the Farm Grill. The food isn't spectacular though it's a California-style (why California?) buffet, but you can't beat the price: 970 yen (about $8 US). In this city, that's a true bargain. Plus, it's all you can eat. Double plus, the weekdays are far less crowded than on the crazy weekends so I can actually prep for my classes on the table. And definitely, I can avoid the "hungrys" in the evening.
As an addendum to the last paragraph of my last entry, one of my landmines managed not to explode today. The class went pretty well, but it was still one of those half-hearted ones with some spurts of learning and activity. Sure enough, today was cold and rainy. Now I can see how the Carpenters got their "Rainy Days and Mondays."
Well, at least, I did get to go to my favorite eatery today in the Ginza, the Farm Grill. The food isn't spectacular though it's a California-style (why California?) buffet, but you can't beat the price: 970 yen (about $8 US). In this city, that's a true bargain. Plus, it's all you can eat. Double plus, the weekdays are far less crowded than on the crazy weekends so I can actually prep for my classes on the table. And definitely, I can avoid the "hungrys" in the evening.
Sunday, January 26, 2003
January 26
Had dinner with an old friend who just recently moved to my hometown as a landed immigrant. His first few months there haven't too great in his estimation. He hasn't made any friends, he failed his GMAT and he hasn't scored a job. I did feel rather sorry for him; it can be rather rough sailing being in that situation, especially when there are -35 degree wind chill factors and tons of snow all around you. I hope he can get some better luck when he returns there.
His talk made me reflect on my time here, which is now 8 years and counting. I think I've been inordinately lucky in that I had a group of friends waiting for me here in Tokyo and there was even an apartment waiting for me. It certainly hasn't been easy but neither has it been an ordeal.
Having said that, I think it may be time to move on. It's getting to the point that I'm starting to find the weekends speeding by a bit too fast and the weekdays filled with a few landmines of company classes to teach. For me, when one starts to wish for the weekend even before the current one is over, it's time to whip out the old resume again or think about new things.
Had dinner with an old friend who just recently moved to my hometown as a landed immigrant. His first few months there haven't too great in his estimation. He hasn't made any friends, he failed his GMAT and he hasn't scored a job. I did feel rather sorry for him; it can be rather rough sailing being in that situation, especially when there are -35 degree wind chill factors and tons of snow all around you. I hope he can get some better luck when he returns there.
His talk made me reflect on my time here, which is now 8 years and counting. I think I've been inordinately lucky in that I had a group of friends waiting for me here in Tokyo and there was even an apartment waiting for me. It certainly hasn't been easy but neither has it been an ordeal.
Having said that, I think it may be time to move on. It's getting to the point that I'm starting to find the weekends speeding by a bit too fast and the weekdays filled with a few landmines of company classes to teach. For me, when one starts to wish for the weekend even before the current one is over, it's time to whip out the old resume again or think about new things.
Monday, January 20, 2003
January 20, 2003
I think being able to navigate through the streets of Tokyo on foot takes the talent of a Wayne Gretzky and the patience of Job. Went through a lot of quick sideshifts, pivots and spins today. It helps that I have a slight "Crazy Legs Syndrome" thanks to a trick right knee and right ankle. Believe me, that ability to get through the coming masses helps out a lot, especially when one is going upstream.
I think being able to navigate through the streets of Tokyo on foot takes the talent of a Wayne Gretzky and the patience of Job. Went through a lot of quick sideshifts, pivots and spins today. It helps that I have a slight "Crazy Legs Syndrome" thanks to a trick right knee and right ankle. Believe me, that ability to get through the coming masses helps out a lot, especially when one is going upstream.
Saturday, January 18, 2003
January 18, 2003
Well, went out with some former students from Nippon Oil tonight. We first had dinner at the Farm Grill, one of my hangouts in Tokyo. The notable thing about is that it's one of the few places in the Ginza that piles on the food for a pretty low price. Tons of chicken, beef and dessert. I also discovered that my tolerance for alcohol is a bit better that I'd thought. Downed a couple of glasses of the golden brew there and down a half-pint of Guiness at the next stop at the local Irish pub. The only thing to suffer was my eyes...pretty red and itchy. I kinda feel like the Cruiser's character from Minority Report after he had that eye surgery.
Had a bit of a laugh midweek as I taught one of my classes at school. The English conversation video we were using starred a fellow who would later become famous in stuff like Red Dragon, Fight Club and American History X. Yep, you got it: Ed Norton, circa 1995, played a young backpacker from Minnesota visiting the Big Apple. Of course, his lines were a bit more terse and devoid of subtext so that the students could understand. Gave the kids a kick, although I gave them a further jolt when I revealed that Norton used to be a teacher in Osaka a decade ago. I myself was amazed when he did an interview with the entertainment reporter of a news show here in Japanese.
Well, went out with some former students from Nippon Oil tonight. We first had dinner at the Farm Grill, one of my hangouts in Tokyo. The notable thing about is that it's one of the few places in the Ginza that piles on the food for a pretty low price. Tons of chicken, beef and dessert. I also discovered that my tolerance for alcohol is a bit better that I'd thought. Downed a couple of glasses of the golden brew there and down a half-pint of Guiness at the next stop at the local Irish pub. The only thing to suffer was my eyes...pretty red and itchy. I kinda feel like the Cruiser's character from Minority Report after he had that eye surgery.
Had a bit of a laugh midweek as I taught one of my classes at school. The English conversation video we were using starred a fellow who would later become famous in stuff like Red Dragon, Fight Club and American History X. Yep, you got it: Ed Norton, circa 1995, played a young backpacker from Minnesota visiting the Big Apple. Of course, his lines were a bit more terse and devoid of subtext so that the students could understand. Gave the kids a kick, although I gave them a further jolt when I revealed that Norton used to be a teacher in Osaka a decade ago. I myself was amazed when he did an interview with the entertainment reporter of a news show here in Japanese.
Sunday, January 12, 2003
January 13, 2003
It's just so ironic having no central heating in the world's second-largest (for now) economy. I was back for 3 weeks in Toronto where the temps dropped to a few degrees below zero Celsius...and that's pretty darn warm for Xmas....and I was still sweating in bed. Over here in Tokyo, we're several latitudinal degrees below Toronto and almost always above the freezing point in the winter, and yet I feel like an icicle even during the day.
Central heating will never catch on in the homes here because the gas and portable gas heater people have got too much of a hold even in the world's largest city. Mind you, true to Japanese integrity, my SHARP heater has lasted me a good 8 years without failing me. All I have to do is just vacuum a wafer-thin square of foam filter and she's back online.
It's just so ironic having no central heating in the world's second-largest (for now) economy. I was back for 3 weeks in Toronto where the temps dropped to a few degrees below zero Celsius...and that's pretty darn warm for Xmas....and I was still sweating in bed. Over here in Tokyo, we're several latitudinal degrees below Toronto and almost always above the freezing point in the winter, and yet I feel like an icicle even during the day.
Central heating will never catch on in the homes here because the gas and portable gas heater people have got too much of a hold even in the world's largest city. Mind you, true to Japanese integrity, my SHARP heater has lasted me a good 8 years without failing me. All I have to do is just vacuum a wafer-thin square of foam filter and she's back online.
Friday, January 10, 2003
January 11, 2003
Well, back in my 2K apartment in Ichikawa, Chiba after another vacation back home in Canada. Certainly warmer here than in Toronto but with the lack of central heating in Japan, things balance out. I'm just lucky to have come back into a long weekend. We've got Adulthood Day on the 13th. For those who are not in the know about Japanese national holidays, Adulthood Day is a celebration for all those teens who will be celebrating their 20th year on Earth.
For most of these kids...sorry, adults....they'll be getting all gussied up: women in kimonos and fur collars while the guys don suits. Then they may all head over to the local town or city hall and listen to the mayor exhort the privileges and responsibilites of the new age, which includes exercising the right to vote...usually for him/her. Of course, being the 21st century, there will be a few incidents of some of the new breed exercising their right to drink and heckle the mayor. They usually make the news on the holiday, which is a slow news day.
Then, the kids head out together either with family or on their own to party it up at a bar. Some of them will discover their new rights to have hangovers, then, as well. Of course, some of them may have already found this out several years prematurely.
Well, back in my 2K apartment in Ichikawa, Chiba after another vacation back home in Canada. Certainly warmer here than in Toronto but with the lack of central heating in Japan, things balance out. I'm just lucky to have come back into a long weekend. We've got Adulthood Day on the 13th. For those who are not in the know about Japanese national holidays, Adulthood Day is a celebration for all those teens who will be celebrating their 20th year on Earth.
For most of these kids...sorry, adults....they'll be getting all gussied up: women in kimonos and fur collars while the guys don suits. Then they may all head over to the local town or city hall and listen to the mayor exhort the privileges and responsibilites of the new age, which includes exercising the right to vote...usually for him/her. Of course, being the 21st century, there will be a few incidents of some of the new breed exercising their right to drink and heckle the mayor. They usually make the news on the holiday, which is a slow news day.
Then, the kids head out together either with family or on their own to party it up at a bar. Some of them will discover their new rights to have hangovers, then, as well. Of course, some of them may have already found this out several years prematurely.