Hey, we're in Osaka, Akemi's hometown, and we've just checked into the hotel. Akemi is going to meet up with some friends and, rather than tag along, I thought we might have the day to ourselves checking out the city. Ready? Let's go! Thanks for tagging along. This concludes our walking tour of Osaka. Let's…
November 5, 2012: What day is it? Oh, let’s call it Osaka Day #1! And the tail end of Tokyo Day #7! L’Effervescence! And dogs eating ice cream!
Today, we took the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Osaka, riding (and eating) in comfort as the scenery whizzed by. It was quite comfortable (surprisingly roomier than any airline I've ever flown), with reserve seating and food vendors who stroll up and down the various cars, offering up everything from ice cream and coffee…
November 4, 2012: Tokyo Day #7! On the home front! L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon! Pieces of the Puzzle!
Here I've been wracking my brain, wondering how I could make a living if moved to Japan - when, suddenly, opportunity comes a-knocking: Japan suffers sumo wrestler shortage. The way I've been eating of late, I figure I should be ready for action in about two months. As much as I'm enjoying myself here in Tokyo,…
November 3, 2012: Tokyo Day #6! Pizza Seirinkan! The Molecular Tapas Bar!
I'd been thinking about it since my last trip here and, finally, yesterday, I finally got a chance to pay a return visit to Pizza Seirinkan. Joining me this time were Akemi and her friend Yukina... After lunch, we headed over to Electric Town, Akihabara, so I could track down a new Evangelion iPhone case…
November 2, 2012: Tokyo Day #5! Actually, Yokohama Day #1!
Yesterday, I ended up going to Yokohama for the day. It was my first visit to the area and I was wowed. It's absolutely beautiful, alternately reminding me of New York in parts, Paris in others, and even San Diego at times. My friend, Moro-san, was my tour guide for the day, taking me absolutely…
November 1, 2012: Tokyo Day #4! Pierre Gagnaire!
Okay, I said late blog entry but I've got a window of opportunity here so it'll be an early blog post instead. Last night, I got together with my friend, Sachi, for dinner at Pierre Gagnaire in the ANA Continental Hotel. We spent much of the meal catching up on our respective lives. Sachi is…
October 31, 2012: Tokyo Day #3! Sawada! Shinjuku! Butagumi!
Last night, Akemi and I returned to our favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo: Sawada. It's always more than dinner, it's a show, with Master Sawada-san presenting a feast of varied sushis and sashimis, from sweet Hokkaido uni to grilled sea eel, all expertly prepared and utterly delicious. The restaurant itself is small, seating six at…
October 29, 2012: Tokyo Day #2! Roppongi! Faro! Yasai-ya Me!
Akemi is so adorable. She's apparently been in Canada so long that she's forgotten what it's like to live in Tokyo. "Tell me when you see a garbage can,"she said, waving the empty can she was holding. A garbage can? On the streets of Ginza? You're more likely to come across Godzilla. The plan was…
October 28, 2012 (here in Tokyo): Arrival! Applause! Soba at Akatsukian! And Mitsukoshi desserts!
One of the things I'm reminded about Tokyo every time I catch the shuttle bus from Narita airport into the city are the highways and how truly high they are. So high, in fact, that one will occasionally find oneself eye-level with the top floor of some extremely tall buildings. Not a great ride for…
October 27, 2012: Travel Day! The Top 11 Things I’ve Been Eating in Vancouver!
Planning a visit to Vancouver and looking forward to sampling some of the city's finest - but not looking forward to playing hit and miss? Well, relax and allow me to guide you through some of the city's tastiest treats. Here are the Top 11 Things I've Been Eating in Vancouver: PEACEFUL BEEF ROLL AT…
October 26, 2012: Your input would be greatly appreciated!
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to explain the difference between "goofy" and "kooky" to my Japanese girlfriend. I have already tried - and failed. YOU are now our only hope. Please leave your superior explanations in the comments section. Thanks. To those of you wondering (which, I'm sure, is almost everyone),…
October 25, 2012: Double Birthday(ish) Dinner!
The other night, Akemi and I went out for burgers with a couple of our very favorite Vancouver friends: Steve, Jodi, and their daughter, Gemma. Per Akemi's request, we ended up going to Romer's Burger Bar for their varied menu offerings and those silly iceberg lettuce buns the ladies seem to enjoy. Steve and Jodi…
October 24, 2012: Are you serious?!!
In Italy, a group of scientists was found guilty of manslaughter for failing to predict a devastating earthquake. I'm sorry. I must have missed the major headline. Since when did earthquake-prediction become an exact science? In this case, following some preliminary tremors, an Italian scientist was asked if said tremors were the prelude to a…
October 23, 2012: Goodbye, Baby
His first name is lost to time. It was a French name I recall. Michoux? Michaud? Something like that. But when we adopted him, we renamed him, choosing Baby over runner-up Sasquatch. And, over the course of his 15+ years, he was a little of both: frisky, grumpy, playful, troublesome but, always, oh-so-adorable. I suspect…
October 22, 2012: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Batman Begins!
Batman Begins fantastik but END just better den average. Direktor Christopher Nolan use Richard Donner Superman as a guide and, strukturally, both movies very similar wit strong, backstory-rich, character-driven first halves dat eventually give way to typikal nonsensical-actiony back halves. Direktion and cinematography are brilliant while akting and writing are good - for de most part.…