Not bad.  Not bad at all.  With roughly twelve reading days left in 2018, my goal of 365 books (Yes, a book a day) looks well within reach.  Granted, roughly 25% of those books were graphic novels so purists could argue I attained a much less impressive 275 titles on the year but still -…

Pokeman-inspired offerings at Osaka cafe. Just a few of the Hello Kitty-themed phone accessories at the Sanrio store. Akemi snags a biscuit from some poor unsuspecting elderly shop mascot. I suspect this is an advertisement for some spa where you can get away from it all, enjoy a sumptuous buffet, and then enjoy a nice,…

There were my favorites... Spider-Man Worldwide, vol. 9 (cover art by Alex Ross) Doctor Strange: The Best Defense #1 (cover art by Greg Smallwood) Shadowman #10 (cover art by Tonci Zonjic) Star Wars, Vol. 9: Hope Dies (cover art by Travis Charest) Sword Daughter, vol. 1 (cover art by Greg Smallwood) Peter Parker: The Spectacular…

Hmmmmm.  Received a most intriguing yet mysterious text this afternoon by someone with some very interesting news.  But the number is not in my list of contacts and, while I can possibly guess the sender's identity (New phone number perhaps?), I can't be certain.  My "Wait.  Who is this?" response went unanswered and so, for…

Tokyo cityscape Awesome TV Asahi big screen commercial The streets of Osaka The streets of Nishi Azabu Akemi's conversation with Pepper-kun The decontructed/reconstructed truffled egg yolk

Some of the many highlights of our recent Japan trip that I didn't have time to upload while traveling... Our hotel was located close to the Takarazuka Theater which hosts nightly performances of an all-female musical theater troupe comprised of six groups numbering a total of 400 members (graduates of the esteemed Takarazuka Music School).…

We cannot move to Japan.  One in every three girls you find cute. Akemi (December 6, 2018 - Tokyo) Well, we're back home and settled.  Ish.  I fell asleep at 1:30 a.m. last night.  Woke up two hours later, took a Benadryl, and slept in until 10:00 a.m.  Hopefully, tonight, I'll be able to sleep…

The trip back was surprisingly smooth sailing (in so far as we actually flew rather than sailed).  The flight left on time, Akemi and I slept through the first 6-7 hours, then we woke up and watched a movie: Sex and the City and Three Identical Strangers.  I leave you to figure out which of…

A quickie blog entry today as we are in the airport, waiting to board, much relieved we got Akemi's PR card in time because it would have been a major hassle getting home without it.  Our only other option would have been a 28 hours flight to Buffalo followed by a two hour drive to…

With time running down on this Japan trip, I'm trying to make the most of the day and a half I have left.  As a result, today was packed full o' fun. First up, was a trip to Roppongi and a visit to the Mori Art Museum where I took not one, not two, but…

I woke up this morning feeling as though I'd gargled glass shards, leading me to believe either: a) I was coming down with something or, b) Someone had tampered with my bedside water bottle.  After clearing the water bottle, it became apparent that I was, in fact, suffering from some sort of nose and throat…

Another whirlwind day in Tokyo following yesterday's Osaka to Nara to Kyoto to Tokyo jaunt.  We now have approximately two and a half days to squeeze in: Harajuku, Omotesando, Roppongi, Naka-Meguro, and Akihabara.  Looks like Odaiba, Toyosu, and Kichijoji will have to wait until next time. Akemi has been hankering for some vegetables and so,…

On our last night in Osaka, we met up for dinner with Akemi's old university friend, Ayaka, for some long overdue yakitori.  The girls had a great time catching up while I just tried my best to KEEP up.  Fortunately, on the occasions when the conversation went over my head, there was the food to…

We got into Osaka last night and got a room at the hotel where the memorial for Akemi's father was to take place.  Since it was a last minute reservation, we were left with a choice between smoking room and a room behind the elevator.  We chose the latter and, after dining on a half…