We agreed last year that a Christmas reunion in Washington DC would be most excellent, bought plane tickets in the summer, requested my days off from work in September, began counting down the days in November and then the three weeks with family at Aunt T and Uncle D's house flew by like Santa on his sleigh. It was the most magical time of the year!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
cousins and aunts
Hey! I am finally posting again.
Note to all my visitors: I have not yet perfected the art of posting multiple photos so that the one you should be seeing and reading first show up at the top. So, it might make more sense if you scroll down to "Cousins Party Redux" and read up.
With only a few days to go before Miss Ai and I jet off to DC (can't WAIT), our fabulous network of cousins and aunts in Tokyo got together at the Miyoshi's house for a Saturday afternoon get together.
Right to left: Miss Ai, Madoka, Chie, Sumiko obasan, Midori, Mari obasan and Kae. And Pepe there in the lower right corner.
Note to all my visitors: I have not yet perfected the art of posting multiple photos so that the one you should be seeing and reading first show up at the top. So, it might make more sense if you scroll down to "Cousins Party Redux" and read up.
With only a few days to go before Miss Ai and I jet off to DC (can't WAIT), our fabulous network of cousins and aunts in Tokyo got together at the Miyoshi's house for a Saturday afternoon get together.
Right to left: Miss Ai, Madoka, Chie, Sumiko obasan, Midori, Mari obasan and Kae. And Pepe there in the lower right corner.
the nigiri sushi feast
The Miyoshis prepared smoked salmon and duck, guacamole, fried chicken, sparkling wine, soup, roll-your-own sushi with these delectables, and the Takagakis brought sweet sweet strawberries and Mister Donuts for dessert.
We talked about Chie and Ai's music, Kae's work at the hospital, Madoka's recent work trip to Hong Kong, Midori's advice on relationships (she should write an advice column), and talked about plans for future get-togethers in the new year. Disneyland? 24-hour onsen? So many possibilities.
We talked about Chie and Ai's music, Kae's work at the hospital, Madoka's recent work trip to Hong Kong, Midori's advice on relationships (she should write an advice column), and talked about plans for future get-togethers in the new year. Disneyland? 24-hour onsen? So many possibilities.
how do these camera phone thingies work?
We had a good laugh as Mari and Sumiko obachans attempted to take photos of us cousins with our 21st century gadgets.
ai pepe me
Miss Ai and I are currently in the middle of an Alias addiction. Quick poll: Vaughn or Will?
Miss Ai would say "VAUGHN, duh," but they are both quite fetching, are they not?
Miss Ai would say "VAUGHN, duh," but they are both quite fetching, are they not?
kampai!!!
We gave cheers to 2005, which saw Madoka, Midori and later on Mari obachan moving into their amazing cozy home in Tokyo, as well as Chie, Kae and Sumiko obasan moving into their amazing cozy home in Tokyo, into which they welcomed us for the day's party.
2005 also saw yours truly finally having the guts to come to Tokyo. Thanks to all, especially Miss Ai and HK, who made me feel welcome.
2005 also saw yours truly finally having the guts to come to Tokyo. Thanks to all, especially Miss Ai and HK, who made me feel welcome.
chie pepe
Chie made all the delicious food for the party. Her dog Pepe, part French bulldog and part miniature shnawzer (or whatever), was very tempted by all the scrumptious offerings she put on the table and very nearly cleared off a few plates when none of us were looking.
Later, when Miss Ai was showing HK these pics, HK said he thought Pepe looks like "a newborn deer."
I agree.
Later, when Miss Ai was showing HK these pics, HK said he thought Pepe looks like "a newborn deer."
I agree.
lovely takagaki women
Madoka, Mari and Midori--hey, I just realized, take the first syllable of Madoka's and the last syllable of Midori's name, and you get Mari!
girl cousins rock
It was an all-girl party--girls outnumber the boys 8 to 3 among us cousins--and we are all close, and all photogenic, if I do say so myself.
Cousins party redux
Miss Ai is always telling me to update the blog more, so I will compensate for the absence with an update on this most fabulous of Saturdays. Last year, at just around this time, I was living in Seattle and came to Tokyo for a winter visit. Miss Ai, party planner extraordinaire that she is, organized a cousins party that brought nearly all of the Japanese cousins together for a night of nabe, drinking, talking, laughing, lots of photos and a gift exchange. Fabulous! Wonderful! I cried when the guests finally had to leave.
Due to busy schedules and such we didn't have a cousins party this year, but because our cousins Kae and Chie and their mom/our aunt Sumiko obachan invited Miss Ai and I as well as our other cousins Madoka and Midori and their mom/our aunt Mari obachan for a Saturday afternoon of sushi, drinking, talking, laughing and lots of photos, it was just as wonderful! Thanks Miyoshi fam!
Due to busy schedules and such we didn't have a cousins party this year, but because our cousins Kae and Chie and their mom/our aunt Sumiko obachan invited Miss Ai and I as well as our other cousins Madoka and Midori and their mom/our aunt Mari obachan for a Saturday afternoon of sushi, drinking, talking, laughing and lots of photos, it was just as wonderful! Thanks Miyoshi fam!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Atomik the cat
Black like licorice, as deeply plush as velvet, sweeter than molasses and one front paw short of a full set of limbs. Has less inhibition than a two year old and gives away enough love to fuel your heart for a lifetime.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Sbux Christmas Blend
It's here! The Starbucks Christmas Blend, that is.
Every morning I get off of the train one stop early because it is more convenient for me to go to the Starbucks that is right by the exit. It's always sunny at 9:50am, and people everywhere getting to their offices, and Starbucks is always busy. I order my tall drip and am ready to face the day.
Last year was my first time tasting the Sbux Christmas Blend. I have never been able to taste differences between blends well, but this one is seriously good. Strong and a little bitter, but very smooth. Get it while it's in season!
Every morning I get off of the train one stop early because it is more convenient for me to go to the Starbucks that is right by the exit. It's always sunny at 9:50am, and people everywhere getting to their offices, and Starbucks is always busy. I order my tall drip and am ready to face the day.
Last year was my first time tasting the Sbux Christmas Blend. I have never been able to taste differences between blends well, but this one is seriously good. Strong and a little bitter, but very smooth. Get it while it's in season!
onion tears
Miss Ai is moved to tears by the onions she was slicing for this evening's dinner (肉じゃがand豚汁 YUM). Is it just me or do I kind of look like Shimura Ken in this photo?
red fish
For years I thought of this as "that red fish poster Mom has in the bathroom," and little did I know it was a Work of Art!
The Pushkin exhibit is in town. Maybe Miss Ai and I will go see the red fish.
The Pushkin exhibit is in town. Maybe Miss Ai and I will go see the red fish.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Half Blood Prince
Ah, Harry Potter. Next week "The Goblet of Fire" is out at the theaters and after watching the trailers and reading the reviews I can't wait. "Half Blood Prince" was most excellent, as I am sure the kitty in this random photo I found online will agree.
Middlesex
I heard the author Jeffrey Eugenides give a talk on public radio not too long ago, and couldn't wait to see if his writing was as interesting as he was in person.
It is!
It is!
Never Let Me Go
This was a BIG surprise. I had no idea what it was about when I began, and it just kept getting progressively creepier and fascinating as I went along. Touching and sad and made me an Ishiguro fan! Am now in the middle of "The Remains of the Day" and am still trying to work out how it can be written by the same author.
book
Mom will be happy about this one. A friend moving abroad was clearing out her things and I picked this up. Written by a husband and wife team, it's very reader friendly and caused many revelatory "ah-ha!" moments.
Da Vinci Code
I found a secondhand hardback of The Da Vinci code in Seattle right before I came to Tokyo, and brought it along for the plane ride. It ended up sitting in the closet for month until I got around to actually reading it...
Curious Incident
I come from book-reading stock. English books can be pretty expensive in Tokyo (and slim pickings), so coming across a good read feels doubly special here.
I got this one from a co-worker, and finished it in a day. An autistic boy tries to solve a murder about a neighbor's dog.
I got this one from a co-worker, and finished it in a day. An autistic boy tries to solve a murder about a neighbor's dog.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
ポッポ
Poppo has this look, which I like to call the "Popo is having a rough day" look. It's a mix of desperation, fear, anxiety and eminent nervous breakdown. But all this melts away into blissful contentment when Miss Ai (or to Popo, Mom) shows up. Even better if it's time for bed and Popo can burrow under the covers and feel safe.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
glitterati
Glitterball 2005 was a big success, a Wednesday night all-you-can-drink extravaganza at Roppongi's Velfarre. I reprised my high-school halloween outfit of Princess Leia, basically a really long wig and a sheet, and Miss Ai was Mia from Pulp Fiction. Anybody order a five dollar milkshake?
The Two Leias
Oooooh, competition! Leia on the left, version Return of the Jedi, made it up on the stage for the Competition portion of the night (I myself, as a Crisscrosser, was not eligible, alas). I kept running into her throughout the evening, and she always wanted to take photos with me, the sweetie! We eventually ran into Darth Vader too for a good photo op, and I wish we had been able to track down Obi-Wan, whom I had seen pacing around the dance floor.
waddup
You can't see them here but Cedric had some phat gold teeth made up for his outfit too. While most of us chose to wait until we got to Velfarre to change into our costumes, Cedric went from a Proper Graphic Designer to Bust Cappin' G before leaving the office. Together with Sheriff Beau, they made quite a sight on the subway, but must say blended in quite nicely with the regular crowd once we got to Roppongi.
Y'all have a good time now
The prod man Beau "Mirror" Miller found some SNAP tassled faux-leather chaps during one of Crisscross' closet mass cleanouts, which became the inspiration for his Glitterball outfit.
The Glitterball
Velfarre's spinning globe of mirrors, aka the disco ball, or on this night, the Metropolis Glitterball.
cat/death/uma
Even though it was on a Wednesday night, cousins M & M were nice enough to stop by, and I think they had a good time too! Midori made it through the night, but Madoka disappeared halfway through... I think Death here had something to do with it... Madoka, are you ok??
masalica
Masa, super-polite and a go-getter sales account manager when I see him at work everyday, transforms into an air-guitar riffing, head-banging K-1 fighter "Masalica" (like Metallica, get it?) once he gets a few beers in him.
masked and bewigged ladies
We found Nishimoto-san just as we were sneaking off from the party, and isn't that a beautiful mask she is wearing? Apparently an authentic Venetian creation, quanto bello!!
expecto patronus!
There was only one Harry Potter at Glitterball as far I could tell, and Miss Ai and I are pretty sure that his wand is in fact several Starbucks straws put together. Doesn't that white part at the top even look like the paper straw wrapper? Crafty, Potter, fifty points to Gryffindor! Except, um, where is that famous scar of yours? Maybe you should ask Miss Ai if she has any make up on her.
Friday, October 14, 2005
House in Hawthorne Hills
Mom in Seattle is selling our house, now that we have all flown the coop and the continent as well. It makes me sad to think that when I go back to Seattle I won't have the house to come back to. It saw me through 12 to 24, which was, I now realize, half of my life!
Lots of good times in that house...
Lots of good times in that house...
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
little spoon person
After waking up at 5pm on the Saturday of a three day weekend, Miss Ai and I went out for a coffee at the neighborhood Starbucks. We were both, um, surprised when we saw this, uh, person hanging out down the street when we left.
Turns out she is the mascot of the new curry place, Little Spoon.
She was very cooperative with our request for a quick photo.
Turns out she is the mascot of the new curry place, Little Spoon.
She was very cooperative with our request for a quick photo.
nissan murakami
Takashi Murakami, artist responsible for those funny cartoon eyes on Louis Vuitton bags, teamed up with Nissan for their new concept car. The car's body can turn 360 degrees (hence the name, Pivo, as in pivot). Murakami holds the character he invented, Pivo-chan, the car's alter-ego.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
AtsugiFest
Everclear probably gets really tired of getting requests for "Santa Monica," the 90's hit that made them famous. But can you blame us fans? It is a GREAT song. I liked it when I was 15 and still now 10 years later, it is one of my favorite "car songs" and one of the first ones I added to my iPod.
The US naval air facility at Atsugi gave a free outdoor concert this holiday Friday with Everclear headlining. There is something about Northwest alternative rock bands. They may be very 90's and not so popular anymore, but because a) I call Seattle my US home and b) I was a teenager in Seattle from the very beginning of the grunge explosion, it is very near and dear to my heart and I still love to listen to it.
This concert reminded me of the free Nirvana concert that Miss Ai and I went to a decade ago in Seattle. How lucky was that? It still amazes me when I think about it.
Lead singer Art Alexakis mentioned a new album out next year. Looking forward to it dudes, rock on.
The US naval air facility at Atsugi gave a free outdoor concert this holiday Friday with Everclear headlining. There is something about Northwest alternative rock bands. They may be very 90's and not so popular anymore, but because a) I call Seattle my US home and b) I was a teenager in Seattle from the very beginning of the grunge explosion, it is very near and dear to my heart and I still love to listen to it.
This concert reminded me of the free Nirvana concert that Miss Ai and I went to a decade ago in Seattle. How lucky was that? It still amazes me when I think about it.
Lead singer Art Alexakis mentioned a new album out next year. Looking forward to it dudes, rock on.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
ウニいくらズアイガニ丼
No luck finding shoes at the Ikebukuro Seibu, but there WAS a Hokkaido Food Fair underway. Miss Ai had sea urchin roe-salmon roe- Zuai crab bowl and I had salmon roe-shrimp. Delish!
Other delicacies on sale included fresh yogurt, wasabi octopus, kabocha and lots and lots of potatoes.
Other delicacies on sale included fresh yogurt, wasabi octopus, kabocha and lots and lots of potatoes.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Limapuluh Lunch
Marta is an excellent designer, smart, good humored and loves to dance. She is off to Barcelona to fulfill a dream. Bon voyage Marta!
Pink Cow Party
On the occasion of Marta and Chris' respective trips abroad (M to Barcelona, C to Brazil), the Crisscross gang and extended family met at the Pink Cow for a par-tay. There was guacamole, roasted vegetables, seafood salad, fresh fruit, tortillas and coucous to feast upon; California wines for drinking, a great atmosphere and even better people. Clockwise from bottom left it's Jon the designer, me, Takako the designer, Miss Ai and Don Morton the movie guy.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
lick
chuchu is an adorable dog, especially after a nice trim at the barber. don't you love his gold-fish eyes, looking at two different directions? isn't he handsome?
is that not the longest tongue ever??
is that not the longest tongue ever??
a pear grows in Akabane
among the miles and miles of concrete and shops and trains and roads, a tree with a perfect pear grows - and right outside the front door!
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Go-kon planning committee
This one is a little bit fuzzy but I like it because now Miss Ai and Midori have the same expressions!
miss ai and monica
Miss Ai and "Monica" were looking the other way posing for another photo for Midori. They have the same smiles!
We four met last Sunday to see the much-anticipated emperor penguin movie, which turned out to be kind of wierd in a way that is probably normal in France (although they really are cool animals - torpedos in the water! polar kangaroos! thunder thighs!). Afterwards we ate an embarrassingly huge amount of meat and sausage at the Sapporo Beer Hall, then retired to a cafe near the station for tea and talk.
What would I do without my cousins and sista? They are the coolest! We have such good times. The funnest was planning various go-kon and something else that rhymes with go-kon...
We four met last Sunday to see the much-anticipated emperor penguin movie, which turned out to be kind of wierd in a way that is probably normal in France (although they really are cool animals - torpedos in the water! polar kangaroos! thunder thighs!). Afterwards we ate an embarrassingly huge amount of meat and sausage at the Sapporo Beer Hall, then retired to a cafe near the station for tea and talk.
What would I do without my cousins and sista? They are the coolest! We have such good times. The funnest was planning various go-kon and something else that rhymes with go-kon...
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