USJ 25th Anniversary – Part 8 - Not Quite Over

 March 31, 2026 – Continued

After the party, quite a few people didn’t want it to end, so they agreed to meet at the Hard Rock Café at CityWalk to continue the celebration.

I had to stay with Atsuko Sera to settle the hotel bill. She had to total all the receipts. Then she met with the banquet manager. It took some time.

Quite a few people who had said they were coming didn’t at the last minute, so we had committed to more people than actually attended. Fortunately, a few others had not RSVP’d, but were able to be there. So, they made up for some of those who were missing. (The war in Iran had just begun, and we knew of a couple of people who were overseas and couldn’t get out. Still others were just afraid to travel.)

I had said we would cover the cost for those who did not come, so I couldn’t leave until I got my credit card back. Therefore, I waited…

Atsuko returned with good news. The hotel had given us a reduced rate for those who had not come, so the amount was less than we had anticipated. And the exchange rate was far more favorable than it had been two years earlier. Bottom line: the total wasn’t as much as we had feared. And the party itself and being able to see everyone was well worth whatever it cost. So grateful for her managing all the negotiations! Without her, none of it would have happened.

While I was still waiting at the hotel for the bill to be settled, Toshi and Larry took all our bags and other items back to our room before joining the group. When I didn’t arrive right away, they set out in search of me. They were concerned because it had taken so long. Fortunately they found me on the way.

We finally reached the Hard Rock. Thankfully, most of our friends were still there.

On the way in, we saw Mike Davis and Shinkawa-san sitting together at a front table and waved hello. Shinkawa-san won one of our books as a door prize. Lovely to see him again.

At last, we joined the group.

Chie Yoshimi, Jim Kriss, Ritsuko Oki Onishi

Left side back-to-front: David & Sharon Streshinski, Karen Chrapeck & Janice Gerry, Ritsuko’s head

Right side: Donna & George Johnson, Lou & Cecilia Noy. Some others were missing from the photos.

Toshi, Larry and I joined the group at the back table. Everyone had already ordered by the time we got there, but we placed our orders. A few others stopped by to say hello. None of us wanted to leave, but the time had come at last.

We were exhausted after a busy and eventful day, but so grateful for the opportunity to share the time with good friends and colleagues.

Next time: Our final days in Osaka.