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??
Sunday, September 04, 2005
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...
Friday, September 02, 2005
Benoit appetizers
More about Benoit. (Because it was just so good!)
This was the appetizer plate. I was served the "Mixtura" plate, a selection of antipasti from Hortus (vegetable), Aqua (from the sea) and Agricola (from the earth).
This was my favorite part of the meal. For one thing, I was so hungry from anticipation that probably anything would have tasted delicious. I also love this sort of assortment plate with many different textures and flavors.
There was the half-poached egg atop something in the upper left; the paper-thin slices of prosciutto or perhaps beef in the lower left; a cold, bright red, slightly sweet soup in the upper right; and some sort of liver-pate with sliced rustic bread for dipping.
I've become much more partial to good red wine recently (thanks Miss Ai!!), and the 2003 Vallee de la Loire Chateau de Fosse-Seche served was delicious--had that smoky, earthy essence without any harsh acridity.
Ah, what a night!
This was the appetizer plate. I was served the "Mixtura" plate, a selection of antipasti from Hortus (vegetable), Aqua (from the sea) and Agricola (from the earth).
This was my favorite part of the meal. For one thing, I was so hungry from anticipation that probably anything would have tasted delicious. I also love this sort of assortment plate with many different textures and flavors.
There was the half-poached egg atop something in the upper left; the paper-thin slices of prosciutto or perhaps beef in the lower left; a cold, bright red, slightly sweet soup in the upper right; and some sort of liver-pate with sliced rustic bread for dipping.
I've become much more partial to good red wine recently (thanks Miss Ai!!), and the 2003 Vallee de la Loire Chateau de Fosse-Seche served was delicious--had that smoky, earthy essence without any harsh acridity.
Ah, what a night!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Mme Nina
A last minute cancellation by my boss to attend the opening dinner reception at Alain Ducasse's new Tokyo restaurant Benoit left open a space for yours truly to stop by and enjoy a truly elegant and memorable dinner. The tenth-floor view of Aoyama took the cake, the food was exemplary and champagne flowed freely. I wish I could have talked more with the chefs and Alain himself instead of with the uppity old fogies who I shared a table with. jusqu'à la fois prochaine!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
two in one day!!
and THEN, when I got back from work, HK gave me this one! Seriously, people, you have made my day. THANKS!!
what a girl wants
I, like Miss Ai and probably most of the female population, go a little crazy over beautiful bouquets like this one. I felt special, oh so special, when my office mates presented me with this bundle today for my birthday.
Quil fait delicious
August birthdays are popular at my office, so we celebrated my, Charlie, Beau and Steve's birthdays today. Delicious Quil Fait Bon cake! What a day!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Summer reading
I got onto the Harry Potter boat kind of late; I just finished the 4th book and rushed out the same day to buy book number 5! I am officially hooked. Ah, nothing like a good book to get lost in on a relaxing summer weekend...
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Happy Birthday Pop!!
It's our dad's b-day today. Hope you have a great one Pops! Let's go eat okonomiyaki at Kyabetsu ("Cabbage", his favorite restaurant for okonomiyaki) soon.
Monday, August 08, 2005
riding giants
Late Saturday night, Miss Ai, HK and I headed to Roppongi Hills and their theaters, which show movies until early morning on the weekends. "Riding Giants" was just beginning, and this definitely is a movie to see on the big screen, as opposed to on a tiny one built into each seat on a trans-pacific flight, which is where I originally saw it. But even then, I really loved the movie; it was even better the second time around. I have never surfed in my life, and am frankly afraid of the ocean, but I love watching these free spirited people talk about surfing like it was the best thing since fire. It's a funny movie, too, with a cool soundtrack (especially love "Gymnopedies" during one of the long surfing scenes). That's surfing superstar Laird Hamilton on what was apparently one of the biggest, craziest waves that anyone has ever surfed.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Koiwai Yogurt
I love Japan for many things. Yogurt, for one. Japan does not require its milk products to be pasteurized, as does the States, so the flavor is much milder and delicately sweeter. Koiwai 100% raw milk plain yogurt is my favorite.
I love yogurt, I LOVE IT!
I love yogurt, I LOVE IT!
Adidas, Stella, Conrad
Stella McCartney's new line for Adidas was on display at the uber-swank new Conrad Hotel in one of my and Miss Ai's fav Tokyo towns, Shiodome. Along with the fashions there were exercise displays, a very fine makeshift drinks and hors d'oeuvres bar next to the pool (in the photo, which had a model in Adidas swimwear swimming back and forth, trying to act very cool and natural as a throng of media people stared and ate and drank), and my favorite part, MASSAGES at the Conrad's serene spa, where a 30-minute anti-stress shoulder and back treatment is something like 30,000 yen (300 bucks, that is!). It was a fun night out, and I commend Stella for her fun and colorful designs. Keep up the good work, Stell!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
emperors
Miss Ai and I were PUMPED UP (at least I was) to go see "Le Marche de l'Empereur" at Yebisu Garden Place(which merits a blog post of its own - more on it later) this past weekend. But, alas, all shows were sold out. Fortunately, the YGP organizers were showing their final movie in the summer outdoor free film series. So we ordered a couple of glasses of red wine and some plates of antipasti at one of the outdoor Italian restaurants and enjoyed "Love Actually" for a while. Hopefully next time I will remember to call the theater ahead of time.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
sweetness and fur
back in Seattle Atomi is probably enjoying the idyllic summertime and spending many productive hours chasing mice up trees and sleeping in the middle of the lawn. Somewhere in his faint ice-cream scoop sized brain is a funny female human who used to smother him with kisses and rub his belly and nose.
sending atomers all my love!
sending atomers all my love!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Athlete Cafe S
My coworkers and I on our way to a reception for the 1-year anniversary of Athlete Cafe S, down the street on Gaienmae's "Killer" Dori.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
looking after the boys
Aunt Ninapod got to spend the evening with Chuchu and Popo while mom and dad had a night off. Oh, the fun we had! There was a brief moment of panic when Chuchu found that the opening beneath the partition separating my balcony from my neighbor's was just big enough to fit through, and I thought I had lost him forever. But he came back after a minute and I made sure to barricade the Escape. Inside, Chuchu favored the shelter of the inside of the kotatsu, while Popo and I curled up on the floor. Aunt Ninapod likes her nephews so much!
First gardenias of summer
I have caught the bug - the gardening bug, that is! Now I don't walk past a flower shop without oohing and ahhing over the peonies and lilies. Ai and I each bought a gardnia bush and are eagerly awaiting the fragrant blooms.
I vant to suck your vlood!
Philip Glass performed a "cinema concert" to the old Dracula movie with Bela Lugosi.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Identical cousins?
Everyone tells me, my sister and my two cousins Madoka and Midori that we resemble each other. I take that as a most excellent compliment!
Peace and yakitori
It's the 50th annual St. Mary's Bazaar! We enjoyed tons of food from around the world, excellent live music from student bands, saw lots of people and participated in a Scandinavian drinking song where we downed a shot of aquavit and a mini fish sandwich. This happy St. Mary's dad was very cooperative with my photo request.
coming home to the hyatt
ahh, the Hyatt Regency Macau. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Thou art 5-star, with room service and air conditioning, a big beautiful room and view of the ocean, breakfast buffet with strong hot coffee (actually all of Macau had wickedly good coffee) and the biggest outdoor pool in Macau, a sauna, delicious restaurants, and the nicest staff waiting on me hand and foot. During the day I had the whole of Macau to explore and discover, and then I had you waiting for me at the end of the day to come back to. Have I found heaven??
Saturday, May 14, 2005
bright shining lights
Macau is very definitely a major gambling spot. But the glitzy, modern, $$$ culture seems to be in very good harmony with the historical and natural culture of Macau too. I liked the balance of of the business and aesthetics.
Friday, May 13, 2005
looks like modern art, but isn't
These were 'signals' that are put on the top of the lighthouse in Macau to warn citizens of typhoons and other natural disasters. Each shape indicates a different level of danger. They looked like museum pieces to me!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Lotus blooms
Many beautiful displays of flora in Macau - these purple lotuses were at the rooftop garden of the Macau Museum.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
The Military Club
Amazing buildings like this are all throughout Macau. At night the pillars are lit up and look like something out of a movie. The main dining room is one of the nicest I have ever seen, with tall, tall ceilings and colonial-style decorations. With the delicious dinner we had the Portughese white wine that was served on the night when Macau was handed back over to China.
A night at the races
Macau has Asia's only dog race stadium. 4 times a week, anyone can go and bet on the superfast greyhounds. i wagered on "Cat Master" who made a good effort and came in second. don't blink, or you'll miss them.
Living on the edge
just another day in macau sitting at the edge of the Macau Tower, some 250 meters high!
Morning exercises
In a Chinese-style garden in the middle of the city, the locals gather to practice Tai Chi, sing and play music, and channel Li Mu Bai from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Fresh juice, anyone?
Fresh squeezed kiwi juice looks delicious and refreshing on a balmy Macau day out sightseeing.
Macau!!
Oh what a trip it was!! This is from my first day, on the island of Taipa. Macau is made up of Macau (a peninsula, attached to mainland china), and the islands of Taipa and Coloane.
Macau is beautiful!
Macau is beautiful!
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Golden Week Getaway
Also I have been told that there are very good egg tarts.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Treats from Beige Tokyo
These are some of the delectable treats that were served at Alain Ducasse's press conference. They are from his first Tokyo restaurant, Beige. The one of the right was most excellent - a pile of candied orange peel atop a mini tarte citron.
Alain Ducasse
Celebrity megachef Alain Ducasse was in Tokyo for a press conference about his new restaurant, Benoit, opening in September in Aoyama. As a member of The Press (I think), I attended and got to meet this amiable, elegant, warm gentleman. Champagne was served and the view of Tokyo from the 9th floor of the La Porte Aoyama building was enchanting. I never cease to be amazed whenever I get to a high enough elevation to get an aerial view of the city - it truly is a Metropolis! I gathered enough nerve to introduce myself to him towards the end of the conference, and he told me he was looking forward to seeing me again in September at the opening. Ooh la la!
Sunday, April 24, 2005
omatsuri
The annual Akabane Matsuri took place today and from the balcony I had a most excellent view. There was an endless stream of marching bands and I felt like I was in the scene in the Godfather part II where the young Vito Corleone (portrayed most excellenty by Robert De Niro) decides to take matters into his own hands and kill the big Don of Little Italy in New York. There is a big religious festival taking place at the time, with lots of similar-sounding music like the music I heard in the streets of Akabane today!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
bon appetite!
I escaped from the office last Friday, on what had to be the nicest, sunniest, most-perfectly-warm spring day so far. Ai was heading to get her nails done in the area, so we zigzagged through the sidestreets off Omotesando to Le Bretagne, a crepe and galette restaurant that we had been to 4 years ago with Pop. This traditional cuisine from the Brittany region of France is made from buckwheat flour, and filled with such delectables as cheese, ham, mushrooms, eggs and salad greens. Ai had the salmon and egg galette, while I ordered the "healthy" crepe with swiss cheese and greens. Chilled vichyssoise to start, a glass of organic apple juice for Ai, a bowl of cidre for me, and a shared pomme crepe for dessert - perfection!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
ibook+ninapod+popo
Popo is a great companion and makes funny snoring sounds when he sleeps. when you walk through the door, he acts like it is Christmas and never fails to make you feel you are his favorite person in the world. apparently he will throw himself against certain Tickle Attackers who like to torture Ai, in an attempt to save her. what a sweetie pie!
she was asking for it!
Ai was playing around with my phone last night, and I thought she had just taken a couple of photos. today, sitting at my desk at work, I picked up my phone and discovered about 17 new photos all similar to this lovely shot. i burst out laughing and most likely made my coworkers wonder about my sanity.
thanks for putting some comedy into my day aibo!
thanks for putting some comedy into my day aibo!
the real stuff
After a hard day at work where i HAD to accept free cosmetic samples from Avon, I had a great dessert of kusamochi, imported directly from Niigata this morning by a Famous Actress/student of Ai. They came bundled up in (according to HK) banana leaves and were an amazingly beautiful swamp-green color. Perfect with a cup of green tea.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
morning dennys adventure
one of the great things about tokyo is the abundant fine dining choices. but every once in a while, i need to go to Denny's!!! i love denny's. their menus are fun to look at, the service is basic and no-nonsense (if a little amatuer-ish), the food is well priced and pretty good. i love breakfast denny's especially. this morning, i went with ai before heading off to work. i recommend the ham and egg japanese style meal.
spring has sprung
on the veranda, the droopy cilantro plant suddenly bloomed into gorgeous white pink flowers. the yellow pansies have been going crazy ever since i came here two months ago. i heard the first cicadas start their meeeee meeeeeeeee meeeeeeeee sounds yesterday morning. summer is just around the corner!
Saturday, April 16, 2005
the return of jack, er, ai
ai came back safely to tokyo and brought back many fun goodies to share with her family and friends! for herself, her favorite purchases were some fantastic tropical print sandals from Paolo, Nordstrom's exclusive shoe brand, and two tubes of arm and hammer dental care baking soda toothpaste. she discovered a great store called White House Black Market in Seattle that sells, need I say it, white and black clothes. this is genius! keeping a basic wardrobe with simple colors and going crazy with the accesories is the way to go, in my book. this way, you don't run into quite so many problems coordinating your articles of clothing due to fuschia not mixing with puce. this theory works for cooking too. a big plate of al dente pasta with a little fiery arabiatta sauce works via the same concept as a chic beige suite with a crimson scarf tied around the neck.
anyway, ai looks like she is channeling jack white in this photo, taken when we were going through all of her overseas purchases. popo is just happy that she is back.
anyway, ai looks like she is channeling jack white in this photo, taken when we were going through all of her overseas purchases. popo is just happy that she is back.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Let's go!
I took the boys for a walk on a recent Sunday. It is just the end of the Hanami season, so we sauntered to a nearby park and took in the last of the beautiful white-pink cherry blossoms. They were very good boy and didn't try to run away, as I had been warned one of them might attempt to do. The sight of them earned many ooohs and aaahs and 'kawaiiiiiiii's from the residents of Akabane. They were pooped (and they pooped) by the end and once back home, took comfort in lying down on the cold stone flags of the genkan and slurping up lots of water. I can't wait for our next outing!
not just a dream
AG performed a solid set at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji. I was amazed at how the songs that I have come to know well can sound so different when performed live! I though everything sounded perfect, and I loved the intimacy of the venue as well. May I make one request? bring back the organ song!!
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