Whether it's because about eleven days into this trip, or because I'm feeling under the weather, or because I only got about four hours sleep last night, I feel like I'm running out of steam.  So it was the perfect day to take time for myself while Akemi was off to meet up with her…

Every morning we wake up to photo and video updates from Sharky's home-stay family.  I asked how he's doing when left alone and they informed me that he is NEVER let alone.  They even take him grocery shopping... The boy is so spoiled.  And yet, he seems to appreciate the simpler things in life as…

I took Akemi up on her rather bizarre suggestion last night and lined my six pillows along my side of the bed and slept on them as a mini mattress, hoping for a more comfortable night's rest.  Surprisingly, it worked.  Sort of.  While my back and shoulders weren't as sore this morning as they were…

https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1735117540551172546 Did some laundry at the hotel this morning.  While Akemi and Dr. Blackjack were finishing their coffees, I went down to retrieve the laundry only to find myself incapable of opening the damn thing, even after entering the code Akemi gave me.  After spending five full minutes pushing random buttons, the door finally popped…

Between this hotel room's hard mattress, and its paper thin yet contradictorily lump pillows, I hardly slept a wink last night.  Finally, at 2:15 a.m., my back and shoulders sore, I had to get up and find the Tylenol I had packed away in my suitcase.  An hour later, I was sleeping - better, but…

We woke up to rain and decided to stick close to the hotel that morning. I felt like having breakfast and with Tsuikiji Market just a ten minute walk away, our decision was made.  There was the usual line-up for Kitsunaya, a place that serves horumon (offal) stew out of a giant simmering pot.  I…

And we're back in Tokyo! Akemi, who noted how much I love to sleep on the day I woke up at 7:00 a.m. woke up at 8:00 a.m. this morning!  We checked out of the Zentis, the boutique hotel Akemi absolutely fell in love with, then headed to Osaka station to purchase tickets for the…

https://twitter.com/BaronDestructo/status/1733621450245107798 By the time I had dragged myself out of bed, brushed my teeth, and changed, it was 7:30 a.m. and Akemi had already worked out, gone for a walk, and researched and booked our day's outing.  We walked around for a couple of hours, checking out the local Family Mart convenience stores (There seems…

Another fitful night's rest, this one due to the stomach issues I experienced as a result of... That greasy heat lamp fried chicken? The "healthy" side salad with the pure red vinegar dressing I had for lunch? The late night pistachio cake snack? Whatever it was, I was NOT feeling great this morning.  But there…

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…