A-san,
Since you’ve announced that you’re retiring after this question, I don’t know whether you’ll even read the rambling piece I’m about to write. But Joe is contrary by nature, so that just makes me want to write it even more.
That said, I was genuinely amazed that Mac-san saw through me and said, “You’re A, aren’t you?” It really drove home once again the difference in people skills between Mac-san and me—though I’m sure it was easy for him.
I’m not sure whether it’s appropriate to write this here, but here’s a little update:
- Sakura-chan got married. I doubt I’ll ever see her again.
- Koi-san left the site and seems to have moved on to a new stage in life. It was obvious that I wasn’t enough for her. It’s a real shame to have one less woman I can drink heavily with.
- Mai-chan is my current favorite. Unusually for Joe, whenever we meet, we mostly end up having sex.
- Princess Nana: Even though I keep thinking, “I should end this,” we’re still seeing each other. Last month, against my better judgment, I met her in Vienna and got thoroughly fleeced.
You must know a great deal about opera, A-san. I’d only had a handful of experiences with it, but last month I went to the Vienna State Opera at Princess Nana’s request. The performance was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of only two operas in English ever performed there. I had studied Shakespeare beforehand, and since it was in English, I was able to enjoy the dialogue reasonably well.
What surprised me most was how much it had in common with kabuki. Of course, there are also major differences, but the exaggerated movements, use of the stage space, and music all had strong parallels with kabuki. For the first time, I was truly able to enjoy opera. I also came to understand just how proud the people of Vienna are of their opera house and how much they cherish it.
As you know, Vienna is a city filled with beautiful music. So why is it impossible to find anything good to eat there? Even the wine is wonderful. Well, I suppose there’s another world if you’re willing to spend a little more. As for the city’s famous sausages and frankfurters, I found myself thinking, “Schau Essen tastes better.” I wasn’t impressed by the fact that everything seemed to come with sour cream, either.
After seeing such a wonderful opera, it was a real disappointment not to be able to enjoy an equally wonderful meal.
P.S. Maezawa-san,
I’ve used your answer as an excuse to string together this rambling piece. If it doesn’t fit the spirit of the message board, please feel free to delete it.
This is Joe.
It’s been a while.
Unlike Mac, I didn’t notice at all. I even wrote a few columns hoping to get a comment from A, but you never showed up, so I was feeling a little sulky（笑).
I hear you’ve retired completely. Thank you for teaching me so much over the years. I truly appreciate it.
By the way, I’m the one who made it visible (embarrassed).
This is Maezawa from the Corporate Planning Office.
It wasn’t me, but since it had already been made public, there may be other staff members who were moved by Mac’s sincerity and decided to publish it as well.
Also, I’m just answering questions—I’m not in charge of the Q&A box. (I believe other staff members handle account creation and contact.) But I often make the decision to publish things on my own, so it’s more or less the same.
That said, some posts I made public have been hidden, while others that were hidden have been made public.
Other staff members make changes too, so I just wanted to clarify that not everything was done by me.
