gtl_yukimura | (no subject)

Back home! Well, technically, I got in Monday afternoon, but I needed to get back on Japan time.

And I got back just in time for my second round of exams. I have a meeting with a couple of my professors later today to show them the work I've done while I've been gone. I didn't fill as many sketchbooks as I did while in Paris, but it's still a good amount. The Poison Garden accounted for quite a bit of one. Thankfully I'll have some time after exams and before I leave for New York to finish a few landscape paintings. I've already completed some rough outlines, so once they're reviewed and I get approval, I'll be able to start on them.

I'm not that disappointed in my quarterfinal exit at Wimbledon. I didn't train as much on grass before the tournament as I did playing on clay before the French. I have a bit more time for hard court training before the US Open, so I think, depending on my draw, I should get to at least the quarterfinals again.

[Screened to Yanagi]
Speaking of New York, are you coming with me Renji? I'm looking at hotels already, so I'd like to know your plans.

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There are certainly worse people to spend time with abroad than Tachibana An-kun. My own teachers are a little less lenient about my missing classes, but they seem to be coming around now that they have realized I am willing to catch up on missed theory without a fuss. That said, I wouldn't have wanted to miss my textile printing classes the past semester where not necessary, so I do understand what you mean.

I'll have Kai-kun with me, so I will check in with him to see if he'd be interested.

I send a lot of update pictures/videos so they know I'm not messing around. I appreciate their flexibility with me.

He's welcome to come too. Same offer.

I record a lot of my progress in pictures and short videos during, but I haven't been asked to send anything of the progression pictures while I'm away. Perhaps something to consider bringing up myself, thank you for the suggestion.

I can't answer with certainty for him since he hasn't responded to my messages yet, but I don't see any reason why he'd object entirely to meeting up at least once while we're there.

You're welcome! I think, for us, we have to be a bit more forthcoming with our progress.

If not, there will always be another tournament.

I imagine it would be more difficult for people whose studies are largely theoretical. We do have an advantage in that there's a tangible result to show for many of our courses.

Kai-kun is prone to forgetting his cell phone when he goes about his business, or forgetting to charge it should he actually remember to bring it. It makes on the fly scheduling a bit of a hassle. I'll let you know what he says once I manage to get a hold of him.

It probably depends on the subject. Drafts of essays/papers can be sent in on occasion.

There's no rush. We have about a month before the Open anyway.

The big advantage of theoretical subjects and history is it fits my luggage more easily.

Of course. I'm merely trying to draw Kai-kun out of hiding sooner rather than later to make sure I'm not going to have to go out of my way to get him while I'm supposed to be doubling down on my theory for my exams.

Unless you're the type who doesn't believe in e-readers.

Do they make human microchips?

Or your books are the specific temporary selection exclusives that don't have digital versions. In which case I tend to include it with my tennis gear when I send it out ahead of time and work with scans for a few days.

I somehow doubt that would be considered ethical. It's a tempting thought, though.

...you send your tennis gear out ahead of time?!

(ooc: he's completely and utterly distracted now. how could you, kite?!)

I have a spare racket I use for practice the last few days before I leave. A few years ago... I'm trying to recall if you were competing in America at the time and might remember? I had an unfortunate incident where the airline lost my luggage. When they managed to find it and return it to me it turned out they'd misplaced it in the wrong trolley and the frame of my racket got bent under other heavy luggage. I had to play the tournament with an unfamiliar racket, which was quite unpleasant.

Since then I've always made sure my main rackets and gear have arrived and are in one piece before my own flight departs, so I will have the duration of my own flight for damage control if necessary.

I can't do that. I don't trust airlines or shipping companies not to lose or damage my rackets, so I carry them with me on board. I haven't had any issues yet. My larger bag though, I check, but it doesn't have anything of high value, just balls and other accessories.

To each their own method of acquiring some peace of mind, I suppose.