The great thing about traveling from west to east is that the jet lag actually works in your favor. You’re exhausted by 10:00 p.m. but up and ready to go by 6:00 a.m. Or, in Ivon’s case this morning, 5:00 a.m. As an added bonus, he didn’t need to waste time deciding what to wear because, as documented in yesterday’s blog, thanks to Air Canada he’s in Tokyo with only the clothes on his back.
Ivon decided this trip was going to be all about the waking, so we took the twenty minute stroll from our hotel to the Tsukiji fish market where we enjoyed a sushi breakfast comprised of an unbelievable tuna platter, some sea eel and tamago.
Afterwhich we did the walking tour of Ginza.
We stopped by Akemi’s old workplace, the Pierre Marcolini Cafe, where I caught up with the gals and Moro-san, who was enjoying her day off, left a message for me in the form of a welcome back coaster…
We returned to the hotel for an hour where I experienced all sorts of computer-related issues. First off, I was unable to use my skype mobile because, for some reason, it tells me that my iPhone isn’t connected to the internet even though its connected to my computer that IS connected to the internet. Is there some sort of setting I’ve failed to switch on/off? I eventually settled for a computer skype session with Akemi and, after several failed attempts to connect (my contact list kept informing me that she was off-line, even though she wasn’t, and that I was off-line, even though I wasn’t) finally succeeded – although, again for reasons unknown, the audio wasn’t working. I could hear skype dial, hear the messages being received, but couldn’t hear Akemi. And she couldn’t hear me – until she donned earphones. What gives? I blame this new Sony Vaio travel computer I picked up that, it turns out, is about half as slow as the six year old version it replaced. Serves me right for buying a PC. Never. Ever. Again.
We met up again and hit Roppongi in atypical fashion, skipping the bars in favor of the Mori Art Museum where we checked out the planetarium, the sky view, a Japanese blond, and an awesome exhibit of the works of Odani Motohiko that proved infinitely impressive, mesmerizing, and, at times, deeply unsettling.
We then headed over to Midtown where we sampled some twelve dollars strawberries (video to follow). Ivon’s resolve gradually faded and, before long, we were avoiding the stairs in favor of the nice, lazy escalator ride down to the subway platform.
Back at the hotel and getting ready to head out. Tonight, we eat the shit out of Birdland!
Jelly heads into surgery tomorrow morning. My poor gal.
Today’s blog entry is dedicated to MightyStarGazer.
Honey nut parfait looks good. Make sure you eat plenty for me. Hope Ivon’s travel luck is the non-stick type and can’t rub off on anyone else.
Best wishes for Jelly.
Sounds like you’re having a great time, although Ivon sounds like my daughter. About 10 days after 9/11, we decided to go to Denver for a “Goodbye Mile High” flag football game between Elway and retired Broncos and Montana and retired 49ers. Security measures were just getting up and running, and lines were long and everybody was suspicious. When we landed, we were so hungry that we stopped at some Mexican restaurant in the airport to grab a bite before heading into town. We were waiting for a cab when my daughter got a panicked look on her face and took off running. I ran after her, thinking that at best, we’d get questioned. She’d forgotten her purse at the restaurant. Good luck with Ivon 🙂
Don’t forget to update us later with any news, please! Oh, and don’t forget my Kit Kats…
You seem to have packed in quite a lot into your first day. I hope that Ivon managed to get some clothing to tide him over until his luggage reappears.
Give Jelly a cyber-hug from me.
Susan
Wait. Does this mean Ivon’s been wearing the same underpants since Monday?? 😕
das
Hello!!!! ça va bien Joseph?
Moi oui super! Je vois que vous profitez bien de votre voyage, je ne savais pas que Ivon était avec vous, c’est plutôt cool 🙂 vous allez avoir de la compagnie !
Skype, msn c’est bien mais quand ça bug c’est tellement énérvant.
Je ne sais pas quel temps vous avez la bas mais ici le temps est vraiment fou..au Nord de la France il fait 0° et tempête de neige , au sud soleil 18° O_O .
profitez bien de votre séjour,
J’espere que tout ira bien pour Jelly.
Gros bisou !!!
Love that white swirly thing.
“Tonight, we eat the shit out of Birdland!” Really? That sounds so very unappetizing.
Sending all good vibes Jelly’s way!!! Hang in there, papa…everything will be fine. {{hugs}}
das
BIG {hugs} and great vibes for Jelly baby!
@das, I bet Ivon had a change of things like that in his backpack, dontyathink?!?or maybe not,lol. And I agree, eat the shit out of birdland,,can’t wait for those photos.
…desserts, way to go Joe, now you are talking. and thanks for the pictures. Ivon makes a good point and shoot model for you, I like his hair. Has Ivon been to Tokyo before this? I know you can show him all the great spots to eat. yum.Take care and enjoy!
@Das: No, he’s not wearing the same underpants. He’s wearing Joe’s.
In the great PC vs Mac Debate… I feel its best to simply go Cylon. 🙂
Hehe Deni…yeah I’m like that too…your story reminded me of the time I went to the NFL pre-season game with my Dad. We got to the station and I suddenly realised that I’d left the tickets at the hotel. We caught a taxi back to get them…just made the game. I forget everything.
Cheers, Chev
Hey Ivon, while I am loving all of the pucs of you can you please grab Joe’s camera every now and then and snap a pic to prove he’s there?
What’s the Japanese rail system like?
$2 per strawberry….why? Is all fruit that expensive? Is it out of season? Do they have special powers?
Cheers, Chev
er *pics
cheers, chev
*Hugs* for Jelly…I know you’ll do well in surgery.
Chev
I love the hotel, looks fabulous! I also love that Ivon’s backpack was there when he went back for it; that is what is so very awesome about Japan. I remember getting my lost wallet back at the base exchange, sans cash. The MP shrugged it as off as a “finder’s fee.” They at least left me enough change for bus fare home.
What is a Mont Blanc? White Mountain, yes but are those noodles or french dries? Now I’m craving fries, yum.
Okaeri Nasa to you guys, and good luck to Jelly today!
Any news on Jelly yet?
I hope AIR CANACRAP is *paying* for The GAP in his Wardrobe! — Tell me, do THEY actually *know* “where” the Luggage is…?
BTW, don’t forget to make THEM pay for the Customs DUTY on all those needed new Clothes!
i hope ivon’s luggage comes in soon.
a reminder:
if you’re looking for stuff for the weird food purchase of the day i had my brother ask about possibilities on an anime bboard he goes to;
someone recommended ramune that comes in different flavors, like curry or wasabi. it’s usually available at village/vanguard (that’s the name, it’s not 2 places) and there’s the chance to find a strange soft drink or 2 at 7-11 or family mart type places.
brief research on ramune brings up more odd flavors;
kimchi, octopus, chocolate, flaming, sour, sweet & mystery. the wasabi flavor is available at tokyu hands. there’s a store in the ginza area (marronnier gate)
Hey Joe,
Sounds like you’re having fun over there. 🙂
The sushi looks really good!
On another note, I passed the final exam for the doctorate. Gotta do a revision on the dissertation, of course, but one step closer to being “hooded” Dr. D.
woohoo!
Hoping the surgery goes well for Jelly.
Sean D.
Any news on Jelly?????
I have a guestion after watching SGA Bonuses. There are many props that are being stored or throwed away. Is it possible to get them like normal or just after they were being touched by Rodney it means it’s ancient and it’s with Ancient gene too, so I would have to pay instead $450 the amount of 8.000 like in bonus discs being showed? 😉
Ongaku iku yu ni!
and greetings from UK where I’m now, you’ll know where and it’s not stonehedge 😛
Impatient waiting for news on Jelly.
Looks like I’m headed in for surgery #3 for these kidney-stones-from-hell.
Patrick decided he was going to send confidential family information out to multiple recipients this morning along with this message: ADADAW He wanted to be sure the legal department of his public school district got that message, too, in a carbon copy. Fortunately, the file could not be opened. Yet another new skill. I’m going to have to keep my eye on this child. Forget WikiLeaks — they’ll be PaddyLeaks.
Hi Joe, FYI, just connecting your iPhone to your computer doesn’t connect the iPhone to the internet at all. You have to do all sorts of hacker-ish things to make that happen. Don’t they have wireless in that modern hotel??
Awaiting anxiously the news of Jelly’s surgery, crossing fingers!
And I can’t imagine eating sushi for breakfast. Wow.
@ Airelle – I’m guessing what Deni said: “No, he’s not wearing the same underpants. He’s wearing Joe’s”…which, I believe, is one step closer to drunk cuddlin’. 🙂
Hope all is well, Joe.
das
D’oh, I spoke too soon. With Windows 7 you can set up the laptop to be a wireless internet server for your iPhone. That’s probably what you meant! Here’s a bit of help: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Using-ICS-Internet-Connection-Sharing
Or search for “ICS” in your Windows help system. Good luck!
Sounds like you were having some hardware problems Joe lol. I experienced that with my phone before when transfering information, it’s like the 2 things didn’t like one another, though it was fixed easily by someone from tech support remotely connecting to my comp and manually helping out.
Technical stuff isnt my strong point lol
Anyway sounds like you’re having fun. Best of luck to Jelly tommorow, hope it all works out for her. I think if anything its best not to worry and just think positive. I know its hard but thinking positive sends positive energy and in most cases things will always work out.
Yes, like Deni asked: Any news on Jelly?
Will be sending prayers for Jelly. I pray to almighty God that Jelly makes it through this tough surgery. God, may your miracles come through the hands of surgeons, doctors, nurses…who will be taking good care of our dear Jelly. Amen.
Hello Joe.
Any news on Jelly? Hope everything went well. 😉
Best wishes to you and Ivon in your vacation.
Bryan
Ivon reported on Twitter that his travel insurance is paying for the emergency purchases.
Now I know why I dreamed of lost purses last night!
What? Only pictures of Ivon ? Aren’t there any fetching young ladies milling about over there? 😉
Hey Joe!!
Can I please get a blog dedication tonight? Just ‘cos 😀 ….do I need a reason?
Cheers, Chev
Ivon now has clothes!! And hair gel!!
Woohoo!!
Cheers, Chev
p.s.#GoJelly
I can see that Ivon is already being useful as a model for your pictures. And for that, I say thank you. I am looking forward to many more the next 12 days!
@dasNdanger @ Airelle
One word for you – COMMANDO!!!
ROTFLMAO
Cheers, Chev
Praying that no Jelly news is good news and that you’re saving it for the blog tomorrow. 🙂
Hi ya Joe,
Lots and Lots of Prayers coming Jelly’s way. Lots of them… Please let us know how she is doing!
And please let Ivon find some Baby er..giant GAP open soon!!!
Cheer
Pat
Hey Joe,
On the underpants issue..I think Ivon is not wearing any…ha
Ivon has been talking about “raw” chicken on Twitter. He linked to an article..which included a picture of Chicken Uterus…ummmm ARE you guys really going to eat THAT! Where is the eye bleach when you need it…I will NEVER be the same. Of course all this underwear talk is coming in a close second.
Awww, I love you in Canada…but Japan with Ivon…just keeps me laughing. The show-n-tell is FABULOUS! The food to die for…
More *TeddyBearHugs* for you and Jelly. Sending good thoughts her way.
Best to you Joe,
Always,
Cheryl 🙂
Fingers and paws crossed, and positive thoughts heading Jelly’s way for a successful surgery. Thanks for today’s report. 🙂