Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog

This morning, we slept in, waking up at 7:00 a.m. and then heading over to nearby Tokyo Station to purchase tickets for the Saturday's Shinkansen (bullet train) trip to Osaka.  While there, we browsed the massive station and perused the seemingly endless food stalls offering everything from bento boxes to butter-themed sweets... I really these…

As expected, a somewhat fitful night's sleep on our first night in Tokyo.  And, as expected, I slept better than Akemi who woke up at 2 am and stayed awake until 4 am before dozing off for another hour.  In any case, we were both up and 5:30 a.m. and, by 6:00 a.m., heading to…

It's 9:00 p.m. here in Tokyo, 6:42 a.m. back home, and we are exhausted and heading to bed.  But first, a quick blog update! Checking out the doggy station at Pearson Airport The 14 hour flight was fine.  I slept on and off for a total of five hours.  Akemi less so.  AND, she was…

And here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to checking out when we get there... Cafes! https://soranews24.com/2023/11/30/our-top-3-cafes-in-azabudai-hills-tokyos-newest-and-possibly-swankiest-shopping-complex/ This whisky bar/bookstore... https://soranews24.com/2023/11/29/theres-a-tokyo-bar-with-japanese-whisky-inside-bookstore-inside-japans-tallest-building/ Some low-key sweets shops... https://soranews24.com/2023/11/22/hidden-in-plain-sight-low-key-sweets-shop-surviving-in-tokyos-street-market-is-a-tasty-treasure/ Lacquer-black cheesecake ice cream bars... https://soranews24.com/2023/11/11/japans-lacquer-black-cheesecake-ice-cream-bars-shocking-to-see-but-delicious-to-eat【photos】/ This department store rooftop Monet oasis... https://soranews24.com/2023/11/03/hidden-oasis-on-a-japanese-department-store-rooftop-is-home-to-monets-pond-in-tokyo/ The Tokyo Revengers exhibition... https://tcv.roppongihills.com/en/exhibitions/tokyorevengers/ Christmas cakes... https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/shopping/best-christmas-cakes-in-tokyo

Tokyo Vice (2022) Season 1 A Western journalist working for a publication in Tokyo takes on one of the city's most powerful crime bosses. My thoughts: The setting is interesting as is its true life source material, but this series is hampered by cliches,  lethargic plotting, and the fact it is padded with too many…

Blazing through these crime shows as our trip to Japan fast approaches.  Five more for your consideration.  Or not... Unbelievable (2019) A teenager is charged with lying about having been raped, but two detectives follow the path to the truth. My thoughts: Perfectly fine but it really feels like a bit of a ho-hum M.O.W.…

And a sneak peek at what I may be checking out in Japan next week... https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1725541011705745775 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1725907839497961520 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1726279783548695011 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1726632447004278899 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1726989241983623672 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1727350302784049474 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1727727372680441958 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1728085425472799083 https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1728471741867945984 https://twitter.com/eriq49/status/1728739208926547975 Best: The chicken tails (which will be my first meal upon landing in Tokyo).  That said, a lot to look forward on this list including the Pistachio Frappuccino and Spicy…

The Green Glove Gang (2022 - ) Season 1 After a failed robbery, three elderly female thieves hide out in a quiet nursing home. While the police are on their heels, they continue their activities at the center, giving its elderly residents a second youth. My thoughts: At turns funny, incisive, and heartfelt in its…

Manhunt (2019 - ) Season 1 Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton tracks down a serial killer. My thoughts: A well-written but dry exploration of the bureaucratic side of criminal investigations. 3.5/5 Dark Heart (2016 - 2018) Season 1 DI Will Wagstaffe and his team investigate horrifying and brutal attacks. My thoughts: A little silly, a…

Well, that's it.  It finally happened.  I accidentally replied-all when I should have sent a direct email.  Mildly embarrassing but, I suppose it could have been worse.  Much worse. Has something similar ever happened to you?  Answered reply-all and included recipients you really wish hadn't received your email?  Do tell. Well, we're almost into the…

He's like a real live teddy bear. Getting into the holiday spirit. Coffee outing A total momma's boy Sweet dreams Started a new video series: Sharky Savors! Sharky Savors roasted maitake mushroom... Sharky Savors egg yolk... Sharky Savors broccoli... Sharky Savors short rib...          

Wow.  Hard to believe that in ten short days, well be boarding a flight for Japan.  It's been five years since our last trip and we are looking forward to checking out our old haunts - Pizza Serinkan, Butagumi, Esquisse, the basement dessert floor of Ginza's Mitsubishi - as well as all of the new…

Outlaws (2021 - ) Season 1 Seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol. My thoughts: Broad humors, cliche characters, and stock plotting. DNF Line of Duty (2012 - 2021) Season 6 AC-12 investigate DCI Jo Davidson's apparent mishandling of the murder of an investigative journalist.…