Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an arborist in Tarui is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I grab my gear and head out. I’m cruising down Kōen-dōri, and I can’t help but admire the cherry blossoms. They’re in full bloom, and it’s like nature’s confetti. But then, BAM! I hit a pothole. My coffee goes flying. Great start, huh? I’m cursing under my breath, but whatever, I’m an arborist. I can handle a little chaos.
I get to this job on Shōwa-dōri. The client’s got this massive ginkgo tree. I mean, HUGE. It’s like the king of trees. But it’s got some serious issues. Branches drooping, leaves turning yellow. I’m like, “Dude, this tree needs a therapist.” So, I start climbing.
Halfway up, I hear this loud crash. I look down, and some kid on a bike just wiped out. I’m up there, trying not to laugh, but I’m also like, “Is this my fault?” I mean, I’m the one in the tree. But hey, the kid’s fine, just a little scraped up. He gets up, brushes himself off, and yells, “Nice tree, man!” I’m like, “Thanks, kid! It’s a real beauty!”
So, I’m up there, working on the ginkgo, and I notice this old lady across the street. She’s just staring at me, like I’m some kind of circus act. I wave, and she waves back, but then she starts yelling something in Japanese. I have no clue what she’s saying, but I’m pretty sure it’s not compliments. Maybe she thinks I’m stealing her tree? Who knows!
After I finish up, I’m feeling pretty good. I mean, I saved a tree today! But then, I head to the local konbini on Kōen-dōri for a snack. I’m starving, right? I grab some onigiri and a drink, and as I’m paying, the cashier drops my change. It goes everywhere! I’m scrambling to pick it up, and the guy behind me is just laughing. I’m like, “Dude, it’s not that funny!” But I can’t help but chuckle too.
Then, I step outside, and it starts pouring. Like, outta nowhere! I’m soaked in seconds. I’m standing there, drenched, thinking, “This is just perfect.” But then I see a group of kids splashing in puddles, and I can’t help but smile. They’re having the time of their lives. I mean, who cares about getting wet, right?
Finally, I head home, and I’m just exhausted. I plop down on my couch, and my cat, Mochi, jumps on my lap. She’s purring, and I’m like, “You get it, Mochi. Today was wild.” I pull out my phone to check the weather for tomorrow, and guess what? More rain. Ugh.
But you know what? I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. Tarui’s got its quirks, and so do I. It’s a crazy little city, but it’s home. And tomorrow? Who knows what’ll happen. Bring it on!