Update

Shortly after my last post I of course got a phone call from Dara who, despite being scum incarnate, I was happy to hear from. Here's the news:
Apparently what's happened is that Dave and I haven't been assigned to a branch yet. That's why I haven't been called in to sign contracts and get started. But, given that I live within walking distance of a Tsukuba Express line station, we might be able to start working at the Tsukuba branch as early as next week. Kashiwa apparently is negotiating for reopening, but is not finished, and that's why we haven't heard back yet as well. But I could be starting soon, and that's a positive note.

As I previously foresaw, it's cold as all hell tonight and though I'm sure it's beautiful, the only thing one can appreciate in this weather is how nice it feels to be warm in my layers and wrapped up in blankets. Which is a bittersweet victory as warm is what should be normal, and a return to normal is hardly worth calling pleasure. And of course, because the cold is always waiting, a millimeter away from wherever I am, or wherever my sleeves stop.