I went to my annual survival confirmation meeting!

Episode 16
Hello, this is Ao😄

Yesterday, I went toa year-end party called the "Annual Survival Confirmation Meeting".

It's a year-end party that started with three friends I've known since elementary school.
I think it's been going on for over 10 years now.

Originally, we started it as a "year-end party," but since restaurants are crowded during the year-end season, we started holding it in November.

Calling it a "year-end party" in November is a bit...
So, at some point, the name changed to "Survival Confirmation Meeting."

The reason is,
I hang out with one of my friends several times a year for motorcycle trips, so we're in regular contact, but I only see the other one once a year at this time.

In between, there's absolutely no LINE or email contact.
It's not like they live far away, as they live in the next station over.
We don't really hang out normally, but I guess it's a feeling of not wanting to let the connection fade away.
So,at the very least, let's meet once a year to confirm we're still alive.That's what the meeting became.

At this age (nearing 50), we don't really talk about what we did this past year, but ratherabout gray hairorhealthorteeth...

It's been pretty much the same conversation for the past few years.
We've allgotten so old and crusty(lol)
But well, it's good that none of us have become criminals or anything.

Since it's like this every time, I tried bringing my son along starting a few years ago.
We used to have barbecues together when he was little, so it's not like they are strangers.

I feel like even if I don't attend, my son might go on his own.
Son! I'll leave the rest to you! (lol)

It's not particularly exciting, nor is it sentimental; we just eat and drink normally at a regular izakaya.
Really, at this age,a year ago feels like just recently.
So we don't do the "Long time no see!" thing (lol)

When we part ways, it's just "Good work. See you next year. Have a good one," and we split up easily.
I like that kind of vibe.
And then, a year passes in the blink of an eye,
and it starts with "Sorry to keep you waiting."
That's how it is.

Oh, right, the place we went to this time was

【Mekiki no Ginji】

It's a restaurant that mainly servesseafood dishes, and it was my first time there.

We toasted and started withsashimi platter.
Thewhale sashimiandwhale steakthat caught my eye on the menu were also easy to eat, and there wasfried chickenandyakitoritoo.

My friend wasgrilling scallopsslowly right there at the table.

Towards the end, the photo of theseafood bowlon the menu looked so delicious that I ordered it.
It was way too much to eat at the end.
On the way home, I experienced for the first time not being able to bend forward to tie my shoelaces (burp...) it was too painful.

The price wasn't too high, and it was delicious, so I was satisfied.

By the way,my son was exempt from paying, so the three of us split the bill.
Son, I'm putting pressure on you by sayingI'll make sure you pay me back once you're a working adult.

Hoping I can write about this again next year.
This time, it was a story abouteating delicious food
andhow nice it is to have friends with this kind of distance.See you later!

It was Ao😄

#YearEndParty
#MekikinoGinji
#Friends