This blog has not been of much use lately, so I am temporarily turning it into a David Bowie tribute website.
How I wish I was alive in the 70s to see this.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Familia
Since moving here in 2005--two and half years ago, people--last weekend was the first time I've been more than a few miles outside of Tokyo?? Shame.
There are people as wonderful as these--cousins Midori & So, cousin-in-law Shiori and mini-cousin Yurine--to visit, in a city as pleasant as Hiroshima. Shame.
There are forest lodges to spend weekends at, built by retired boat designers who raise St. Bernese pups and served grilled smoked chickens and conduct weddings in their log cabins. Shame!
So where to next? After Okayama next weekend (auntie extraordinaire Mari and cousin Takara, precious as his name suggests), there is skiing in Hokkaido, sand dunes and paragliding in Tottori, awamori and goya in Okinawa, onsen in Kyushu, udon in Shikoku, Koya-san in Wakayama. Yokoso Japan, your campaign is working.
There are people as wonderful as these--cousins Midori & So, cousin-in-law Shiori and mini-cousin Yurine--to visit, in a city as pleasant as Hiroshima. Shame.
There are forest lodges to spend weekends at, built by retired boat designers who raise St. Bernese pups and served grilled smoked chickens and conduct weddings in their log cabins. Shame!
So where to next? After Okayama next weekend (auntie extraordinaire Mari and cousin Takara, precious as his name suggests), there is skiing in Hokkaido, sand dunes and paragliding in Tottori, awamori and goya in Okinawa, onsen in Kyushu, udon in Shikoku, Koya-san in Wakayama. Yokoso Japan, your campaign is working.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
I*heart*りんかい線
Expensive (380 yen one way) and inconvenient (who goes from Osaki to Shinonome? (except me)) though it may be, the 10 commuters in Tokyo who ride to and from work on the Rinkai Line get to ride a train that's nearly empty and free of the human zombie sardine cans that is JR, Metro and Toei!!! I LOVE you random private underused train line, you!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Happy Beau-day
Beau's 25th at Junkadelic, the last day of a dizzyingly hot August and the end of the workweek, good friends, strangers who became new friends, guacamole and margaritas. Recipe for a perfect party.
Blue steel and the ladies
"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?"
more slurpees, please
I liked the banana frozen margarita the best, but I would like to go back for a few more pitchers to confirm this.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
spot the bug
up on the 35th floor of our government-subsidized high rise, a surprising variety of critters find their way to the balcony plants. How did this twig worm make it up here? Inch by inch, floor by floor? Or was it chillin' as a wee larva in the basil/peppermint/parsley plant at the Viva Home garden center, not expecting such an uplifting experience once it came to?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday afternoon clouds
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere...
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere...
Monday, July 16, 2007
obi
the three-day weekend started with a typhoon, followed by a wedding, Rocky Horror karaoke, new aquamarine earings, Harry Potter on the big screen, heavy-duty apartment cleaning, and ended on an earthquake.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
rain drops, gardenia
the first bloom of the summer.
dedicated to friends John and Akiyo, who are getting married today.
dedicated to friends John and Akiyo, who are getting married today.
Monday, July 02, 2007
issue No. 1
my commute recently got longer by about thirty minutes.
Thirty extra minutes for me to enjoy my new subscription to the New Yorker!
Moms and early birthday presents are the best.
Thirty extra minutes for me to enjoy my new subscription to the New Yorker!
Moms and early birthday presents are the best.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
my town
Been almost a year since I and sisterpod moved to Shinonome.
Since then, one new high-rise condo has opened, another is built and awaiting its grand opening, and a third has broken ground.
It feels like Belltown, Seattle, circa 1997. Cranes everywhere!
Now all we need is a Starbucks on every corner♪ but to start with, just one is fine.
please....
Since then, one new high-rise condo has opened, another is built and awaiting its grand opening, and a third has broken ground.
It feels like Belltown, Seattle, circa 1997. Cranes everywhere!
Now all we need is a Starbucks on every corner♪ but to start with, just one is fine.
please....
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
new shoes
luckily there is a store near by with shoes my size. More expensive than most, but shoes are something that I really do not mind spending a little extra on. Painful feet are not fun.
The red peep-toe pumps are mine; the rainboots are Ai's.
The red peep-toe pumps are mine; the rainboots are Ai's.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Silvie 1991-2007
Silvester Brown. Silvenheimer. Silvio. Silviepoo.
Such a pretty face, such a sweet kitty.
Out of all the family pets, she was the most peaceful. Very level-headed. Aside from the occasional hair ball, nothing much bothered her. She was fearless and took no shit, especially not from the neighborhood dogs and vets wanting to poke her with needles.
I think that is why, when I think about her weak and unable to take care of herself anymore, I get really sad. Because that was so counter to who she was.
This little specimen of elegance graced our lives for almost 17 years. Thank you for your company, Silvie.
Such a pretty face, such a sweet kitty.
Out of all the family pets, she was the most peaceful. Very level-headed. Aside from the occasional hair ball, nothing much bothered her. She was fearless and took no shit, especially not from the neighborhood dogs and vets wanting to poke her with needles.
I think that is why, when I think about her weak and unable to take care of herself anymore, I get really sad. Because that was so counter to who she was.
This little specimen of elegance graced our lives for almost 17 years. Thank you for your company, Silvie.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Chapuire hatsu live buji shuuryo!!
Or, most excellent debut live, Chapter 11!
The sassy and intelligent girl rock duo pose with stage manager HK after their first live at Shimokitazawa's Mosaic live house.
Maki is an awesome drummer who is all smiles. She's on the left.
Suzy is the one with the butterfly about to alight on her head. She's the rockin' singer/guitarist/songwriter.
The sassy and intelligent girl rock duo pose with stage manager HK after their first live at Shimokitazawa's Mosaic live house.
Maki is an awesome drummer who is all smiles. She's on the left.
Suzy is the one with the butterfly about to alight on her head. She's the rockin' singer/guitarist/songwriter.
Shimokita full moon
through the roof of Shimokitazawa Station, heading home after Chapter 11's live at Mosaic.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
seasons
Just like that, the sakura are gone, and everything is green again. Finally getting some pleasant days, nice weather like early summer in Seattle.
This morning was windy but sunny, a good Saturday to start off Golden Week. Then these clouds rolled in, bringing lightning, thunder and rain.
This morning was windy but sunny, a good Saturday to start off Golden Week. Then these clouds rolled in, bringing lightning, thunder and rain.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
the evil continues
The game: Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs! (Thanks Courtney and one thing that is probably not a little-known fact about me any more is that I am a major procrastinator).
When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina. As a grown-up, I still want to be a ballerina! (or, bizarrely, a shepherdess)
I can do the splits. I'm very bendy.
I dropped out of high school my junior year, but managed to graduate from college on time. Go Huskies.
When I was 17, I spent four months going to high school aboard a schooner, starting in the Caribbean and ending in Boston. I hoisted sails, took noon sites, said argghhh, and got a fabulous tan and toned biceps. One of my favorite memories: sailing into Gloucester and waving to my Grandmother and great-Uncle and Aunt as they stood on their front lawn on the water, waiting for my boat to come in. Before that, I spent three months living on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, teaching kids at a BIA school, going to sweat lodges, making silver jewelry, hiking at White Sands, herding cattle on horseback and getting lost atop mesas. It was a great year.
The ocean scares me.
I could eat kabocha every day and never tire of it. Same goes for yogurt.
I don't like beer. I like red wine and bourbon on the rocks.
I enjoy singing in a chorale and hope to someday sing Mozart's "Requiem" again like I did in college. I am a second alto. I have also been known to do imitations of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
The moment before I fall asleep and the second after I awake are two of my favorite times of day.
Conan O'Brien is my hero.
i tag: gina r, dan t, yuko m, beau m, mayumi o and mariana m.
When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina. As a grown-up, I still want to be a ballerina! (or, bizarrely, a shepherdess)
I can do the splits. I'm very bendy.
I dropped out of high school my junior year, but managed to graduate from college on time. Go Huskies.
When I was 17, I spent four months going to high school aboard a schooner, starting in the Caribbean and ending in Boston. I hoisted sails, took noon sites, said argghhh, and got a fabulous tan and toned biceps. One of my favorite memories: sailing into Gloucester and waving to my Grandmother and great-Uncle and Aunt as they stood on their front lawn on the water, waiting for my boat to come in. Before that, I spent three months living on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, teaching kids at a BIA school, going to sweat lodges, making silver jewelry, hiking at White Sands, herding cattle on horseback and getting lost atop mesas. It was a great year.
The ocean scares me.
I could eat kabocha every day and never tire of it. Same goes for yogurt.
I don't like beer. I like red wine and bourbon on the rocks.
I enjoy singing in a chorale and hope to someday sing Mozart's "Requiem" again like I did in college. I am a second alto. I have also been known to do imitations of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
The moment before I fall asleep and the second after I awake are two of my favorite times of day.
Conan O'Brien is my hero.
i tag: gina r, dan t, yuko m, beau m, mayumi o and mariana m.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Shinonome sakura
The night before, a fierce rain and windstorm was screaming through Shinonome. The blossoms got pretty roughed up, wrinkly and beginning to turn brown at the edges, but there is still nothing like the sight of blooming sakura.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Silvie
I was in the States with the two family kitties when the scary news broke about canned pet food causing kidney failure in cats and dogs.
Thankfully, Silvie and Atomik are picky eaters and prefer katsuobushi and tuna to cat food, so they were out of danger.
Silvie did have to go to the vet for an unrelated procedure, and had this funny blue collar on when we brought her home.
She was totally cool about it but it freaked out Atomik.
Thankfully, Silvie and Atomik are picky eaters and prefer katsuobushi and tuna to cat food, so they were out of danger.
Silvie did have to go to the vet for an unrelated procedure, and had this funny blue collar on when we brought her home.
She was totally cool about it but it freaked out Atomik.
atomi
our beloved, three-legged, utterly unique Atomik.
He is the best thing to hug, weighs the same as a sack of potatoes, soft like velvet and sooo warm.
He likes to roll around in the driveway and is often covered in dust.
He is the best thing to hug, weighs the same as a sack of potatoes, soft like velvet and sooo warm.
He likes to roll around in the driveway and is often covered in dust.
parrot tulips
from a bouquet I took to Grandmom on my second-to-last day in DC.
they take my breath away!
they take my breath away!
Monday, March 26, 2007
god bless cancelled flights
because it meant I got to stay an extra day in the US, and mom and I got to hit up the National Gallery in downtown DC for a day of art appreciation.
this is an awesome, awesome town.
this is an awesome, awesome town.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
temple, tower
Akabanebashi has the Tokyo American Club, a Beemer dealer, the Russian Embassy, a couple of shrines/temples and, everywhere you look, Tokyo Tower.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
If you can't sleep, count sheep. Don't count endangered animals, because you will run out.
Mitch Hedberg, possibly the funniest man I have ever seen.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
possessed at the piano
Olga Kern competing at the 11th Van Cliburn International piano competition in 2001.
Amazing.
Amazing.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Last Sunday in Five Senses
Sleet gray sky downpour, later brilliant sunshine. Round, flat, smooth, shiny black stones.
Wind chimes.
Iced tea with licorice and peppermint.
Cedar, sage, sweet grass and sandalwood.
Heated stones resting in my palms and back. Circulation pumping. Expert hands easing out all the pressure lodged in my muscles. Drifting in and out of semi-consciousness, completely relaxed.
This was my Sunday afternoon at Aveda salon in Aoyama, enjoying the gift certificate from miss Ai that I got for Christmas. Highly, highly recommend their hot stone massage, and also having a sister who gets you Aveda gift certificates.
Wind chimes.
Iced tea with licorice and peppermint.
Cedar, sage, sweet grass and sandalwood.
Heated stones resting in my palms and back. Circulation pumping. Expert hands easing out all the pressure lodged in my muscles. Drifting in and out of semi-consciousness, completely relaxed.
This was my Sunday afternoon at Aveda salon in Aoyama, enjoying the gift certificate from miss Ai that I got for Christmas. Highly, highly recommend their hot stone massage, and also having a sister who gets you Aveda gift certificates.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Radiohead Night
Radiohead inspires a lot of passion from their fans. Not surprising since they *rock*.
SuperDeluxe hosted the fifth Radiohead Night, which I mentioned in thorough detail in a previous post. In addition to interviews, live video footage and a short documentary, a five-piece band called OAS played some covers.
WOW. I love Radiohead because their songs are so textured and moody and have amazing beats, and didn't think that a cover band could do them justice. But these dudes were channeling Radiohead. They were right on.
Setlist was Knives Out, Airbag, Paranoid Android, Wolf at the Door, Creep, and a bit from a new song.
Can't wait to see the real thing in concert some day.
SuperDeluxe hosted the fifth Radiohead Night, which I mentioned in thorough detail in a previous post. In addition to interviews, live video footage and a short documentary, a five-piece band called OAS played some covers.
WOW. I love Radiohead because their songs are so textured and moody and have amazing beats, and didn't think that a cover band could do them justice. But these dudes were channeling Radiohead. They were right on.
Setlist was Knives Out, Airbag, Paranoid Android, Wolf at the Door, Creep, and a bit from a new song.
Can't wait to see the real thing in concert some day.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
MetPods
Good chemistry is hard to find. The three Metropolis podpeople have certainly got it; just listen to the weekly Metpod.
The MetPod trio, Jordon, Suzy and Kong, along with guest Ninapod, met for a Higashi Shinjuku yakiniku dinner at Kouei, a longtime Uchida family favorite. Tonchan was where we really wanted to go, for the BEST samgyeopsal with endless sunny lettuce, goma leaves, garlic cloves, kimchi, sliced onions and red pepper to go with it (yes, you will stink afterwards, but you will be stinky and happy), but the line of people waiting out the back door was around 20 people too long, so we headed next door to Kouei. And you can do a lot worse than Kouei.
It was a really fun evening, with lots of smoky grilling and rounds of beer and shochu, and we ended by toasting with a bottle of Makkoli.
The MetPod trio, Jordon, Suzy and Kong, along with guest Ninapod, met for a Higashi Shinjuku yakiniku dinner at Kouei, a longtime Uchida family favorite. Tonchan was where we really wanted to go, for the BEST samgyeopsal with endless sunny lettuce, goma leaves, garlic cloves, kimchi, sliced onions and red pepper to go with it (yes, you will stink afterwards, but you will be stinky and happy), but the line of people waiting out the back door was around 20 people too long, so we headed next door to Kouei. And you can do a lot worse than Kouei.
It was a really fun evening, with lots of smoky grilling and rounds of beer and shochu, and we ended by toasting with a bottle of Makkoli.
walking home
What's the point of making the last train if you are going to fall asleep and miss your stop?
Thank goodness I was only one stop away from home when I came to my senses. Still, I had to backtrack 20 minutes at one am on Sunday morning in the cold.
But it was actually a really nice stroll. It felt good to walk off the makkoli, while cars and trucks zoomed by on the highway, and the wind made crazy patterns on the bay. A couple of midnight joggers passed by. It cleared my head and I slept like a baby!
Thank goodness I was only one stop away from home when I came to my senses. Still, I had to backtrack 20 minutes at one am on Sunday morning in the cold.
But it was actually a really nice stroll. It felt good to walk off the makkoli, while cars and trucks zoomed by on the highway, and the wind made crazy patterns on the bay. A couple of midnight joggers passed by. It cleared my head and I slept like a baby!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Julian Opie in orange
Julian Opie seems to be pretty popular in Japan. He's had a few shows here, and has a few installments at businesses around town. When I walk by the Dentsu building in Shiodome on my way to a midday Starbucks, I like to look into the lobby at the digitized humans strolling in place. The same figures are more colorful over at Omotesando Hills.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
love in New York
My new favorite site: the "Vows" section of the New York Times.
Of course the NYT is only going to pick unions that are interesting, otherwise people wouldn't read them; with brides and bridegrooms who by themselves would make good profiles. I know not all marriages and the courtships leading up to them are as magical and destined-to-be as these sound. And I would like to see how the marriages actually turn out, after the wedding.
Still. Each story gets to me. I'm surprised how so many of the guys in the profiles are just as sweet and shy and silly about crushes and romance as the woman. And most have gone through failed relationships and disappointing one-sided crushes, and feel like they'll never find the real thing. But then gloriously, they do! And then I get teary and start daydreaming about wedding dresses and china patterns. I'm such a girl.
Of course the NYT is only going to pick unions that are interesting, otherwise people wouldn't read them; with brides and bridegrooms who by themselves would make good profiles. I know not all marriages and the courtships leading up to them are as magical and destined-to-be as these sound. And I would like to see how the marriages actually turn out, after the wedding.
Still. Each story gets to me. I'm surprised how so many of the guys in the profiles are just as sweet and shy and silly about crushes and romance as the woman. And most have gone through failed relationships and disappointing one-sided crushes, and feel like they'll never find the real thing. But then gloriously, they do! And then I get teary and start daydreaming about wedding dresses and china patterns. I'm such a girl.
hall of wood and metal
Within the labyrinth of Roppongi Hills this wood-and-metal hallway led from one of the lower shopping levels to the parking lot.
The planners at Mori Building are certainly good at creating textures in their developments. There's the cobbly sandstone that makes up the main structure of RH; the blue lights that, over the course of a minute, trickles down the side of Mori Tower like a huge timer; digitized Julian Opie pedestrians figurines striding across the facade of Omotesando Hills. And my favorite, that I just discovered yesterday: from one of the upper balconies inside Omotesando Hills, look down at the wide flight of stairs on the ground level and the steps appear to be moving in waves, a trick of the lights. It was mesmerizing.
The planners at Mori Building are certainly good at creating textures in their developments. There's the cobbly sandstone that makes up the main structure of RH; the blue lights that, over the course of a minute, trickles down the side of Mori Tower like a huge timer; digitized Julian Opie pedestrians figurines striding across the facade of Omotesando Hills. And my favorite, that I just discovered yesterday: from one of the upper balconies inside Omotesando Hills, look down at the wide flight of stairs on the ground level and the steps appear to be moving in waves, a trick of the lights. It was mesmerizing.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
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