Wearing: My Millenium Falcon schematic t-shirt. It's pink. And MANLY!
Music: "Ah! Si Mon Moine" as performed by the Mediaeval Babes.

Have you ever seen a war or action movie, or heck, even a sports film in which the big battle/assault/defense/game is about to take place, and there's a sort of montage of everyone preparing? Mounding up equipment at strategic places, checking weapons and gear, each man or woman busily sorting out the last-minute details that they believe will get them through the upcoming madness in one piece? And there's always one glum person loudly doubting if things will work out, while one cocky bastard runs around shouting encouragement in between getting his own things sorted? If you have, you'll know what things are like in a restaurant before opening up for the evening on New Year's Eve. I genuinely thought I was in a strangely-costumed war flick. Only with bartenders and sushi chefs as the heavy machine-gunners, the cooks as the supporting artillery, the hibachi chefs as the mortar teams, and the wait-staff as the poor bloody infantry. Oh, and the owner as the colonel who loses his head halfway through and disappears into a bunker which sadly didn't take a direct hit from enemy fire.

To continue the analogy, there's always that 'calm before the storm' moment where everyone stands around sharing one last drink, or a cigarette, or shows photos of their girl back Home. In my case, this involved sitting in the back landing-room (ie, where all the non-food items are stored/prepared for throwing out) smoking extra-heavy Chinese cigarettes with 2 Indonesian hibachi chefs, the Chinese sushi chef, and a couple of Chinese waiters who speak just enough English to take food orders. Surreal does not begin to describe it. Also, as it turns out, Indonesian hibachi chefs have a massive, massive thirst for energy drinks. It certainly explains some of the antics they get up to.

Did alright, all things considered. Not nearly as well as I'd have liked, and I have to be at work today, but what the hey. Got out early enough to get home and have a bottle of champagne at midnight. Veuve Cliquot. Love that stuff.

May 2012 bring to each of you all the blessings of whichever deity or deities you choose. And if you believe in none at all, then may 2012 bring to you the kindness of your fellow human beings.

-Philo