Tanjyobi Omedetou! Potluck Birthday Party

After finishing up at the doctor, I headed home and got changed for my 2nd annual Potluck Birthday Party. Most of my close friends from the neighborhood came bearing gifts, which was an extra special added bonus. I really cleaned up with presents ranging from a new Comme Ca Du Mode wallet to a fine bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne. My Futako friends are the best and I love them all dearly. I am really not sure how long I will be in Japan, but I am surely going to have another birthday party in Potluck next year if I'm here. My friend Jin, the owner, even brought me a dish of fresh sushi prepared by another friend who is a sushi master. Life doesn't get much better with friends like these.

When I was 24 it was a very good year

Today marks the day of my birth, 25 years after the actual event. People always ask you 'Do you feel different?' on your birthday. I always used to say 'no' and I was honestly telling the truth, but this birthday something seemed to change. I am the QC! I spent the day at home, alone, nursing my injured knee contemplating the feat I had achieved the previous day, before I went to the doctor for my X-ray. If I am correct I am the first person in my bloodline, modern and ancient, to have reached the peak of Mt. Fuji. I have been a lot of places around the globe, but this was the first place I have been where it is very possible that not one of any of my thousands of ancestors had ever been. I felt them as they saw the world through my eyes yesterday. I grew somewhere deep inside and realized something: When I was 24 it was very good year.

War is Hell: Mt. Fuji

The Battle of Mount Fuji: Victory was ours, but heavy casualties were suffered. Yuko and I set out from Shinjuku on the Keio bus at 5pm on our way to Kawaguchiko at the 5th station up Fuji San. The weather forecast had constantly been changing, so we decided to just take our chances. We set out from the 5th station at 7:30pm under a full moon with partly cloudy skies. My plan was for us to climb during the night under the full moon and reach summit 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise so we could take in the moon from there as well. The recommended time from the 5th station to the summit is a hair over 400 minutes, so I figured we could take our time since I planned for Yuko being slower than molasses & constipation. She was doing surprisingly well despite her extreme altitude fatigue, so I, being the gentleman I am, carried her backpack. We hiked through the night; Yuko, with the clothes on her back, and I, with about 60 pounds of shit on my back. The night was bright with the full moon lighting our way and the weather being miraculously cooperative. Through the night it was mostly dry with only a few sprinkles until about 2:30am when we were just leaving the Original 8th station. The rain and wind picked up at once; we were soaked and surrounded by thick clouds of moisture and sand in the darkness. We trudged on and summited at 3:30, where the weather was getting worse and worse by the minute, about an hour before sunrise. The wind was gusting at 70-80mph by my estimate and had completely covered us in a fine grain mud of volcanic rock. My friends who had climbed in the previous weeks had warned me that the crowd of people was unbearable, so initially I was caught off-guard by the lack of climbers at the summit, but quickly realized that most of them were smart enough to stay home in these conditions.

So, Yuko and I huddled next to the mountain hut, shivering in the driving rain, watching bewildered first-timers wander in the relentless darkness and focused old-pros hunker down in disappointment. The hut opened up at about 4:15 and we promptly qued up for a seat inside where we spent the next 45 minutes thawing out and missing a beautiful sunrise under thick black storm clouds. At 5am the tour groups decided enough was enough and started down; we immediately followed suit. In retrospect, the ascent was a cake walk compared the the descent. The wind grew stronger along the descending route which lead to constant falls due to the soft earth. At one point a boulder about the size of a medicine ball became dislodged beneath my feet and started rolling toward the group in front of us. I had to run downhill and stop it with my leg (Have you ever stopped a rock with your leg? An object in motion tends to stay in motion.) which hurt like hell and after I almost fell over the side, which happened plenty of times. Another time we had to stop and huddle for about 15 minutes due to the voracious wind that was whipping around us. I can remember several times when I thought that I was going to die. We finally made it back to Kawaguchiko at 8am bruised & battered and had to wait until 11 for our bus back to Shinjuku. I sprained my knee so bad on the descent that I can't really walk at the moment and am going to see a doctor. It was definitely worth going, but I don't ever want to again. My advice? Make SURE the weather is going to be clear before going.

The Summit of Fuji at sunrise

B*Y*O*B & The 4 Muskateers

August turned out to be a month of many events at work, so, hence forth, I organized a small party on Sunday so we (my co-workers and I) could celebrate them together. There were 'farewells' for Ashley & Betty and 'welcomes' for Cam, Derek, and Christie. There were also 'congrats' for my boss & Derek and 'happy birthdays' for Cam and I. So I set up this small gathering at the NHK Hall entrance to Yoyogi Park. We partied there for about 3 hours and then tried to part ways. Rohan, Dan, and I had another drink at Hachiko, then Rohan and I hit the Den En Toshi Line. All would have ended like a normal night, but Rohan had to piss so bad that he got off at my station and hadn't realized that was his last train. We headed to Potluck to drink the night away where we caught up with neighborhood partners in crime, Kiyo and Baba. We got fuckin torn up and Kiyo presented me with his birthday gift: traditional Japanese flip-flops. Great Night. Next day wasn't so hot....

Feeling the Love: Hiro & Yuriko Suzuki

A monumentous and wonderful event; the celebration of love between two crazy cats who love to have fun and finally decided to make it honest; Hiroyuki and Yuriko Suzuki's wedding. These were my first friend's in Futako Shinchi and are also the most dear. I was thrilled to have been invited to their wedding and had been looking forward to it for close to six months. The day started early with a wake up call from Kiyo, then I met some of the crew at Potluck and we headed to The Westin in Ebisu for the festivities. Only Kiyo and Keiko were invited to the actual ceremony, but I tend to find those boring anyway since the reception and after party are the real crowd pleasers. The reception lasted all day until about 5pm when we departed for the after party in a beer hall about 20 minutes walk from the Westin.

After the after party Jin treated us all to a round of free ice cream and then we headed back to Futako Shinchi for the after after party at Potluck which we stayed at for a few hours then moved on to karaoke in Mizonokuchi for the final after after after party. It was really long day and an even longer weekend but it was well worth it. OMEDETOU Hiro & Yuriko! True Love comes only once and you have realized it.

Tamagawa Hanabi

Betty showed up in Futako Shinchi around 4:30 to help me stake out a spot and set up the party that I had planned for watching the annual Tamagawa Fireworks Festival. We got a spot easy enough with a great view of both the Setagaya & Kawasaki fireworks and waited for all the others to arrive. Rohan and Hana showed up a few minutes before the show started, then Paul and his crew came about half way through, and finally Yuko found us with about 10 minutes left. Kumiko, Dave, and Naoko never found us. I would be lying if I said that I had an absolutely great time Saturday night. The fireworks were OK at best and I was a little disappointed that more people didn't come. So after the fireworks Hana, Kumiko, Dave, and Naoko came to my place for a few drinks and then headed home. It was an OK day, but I've had better.

Mori Towers: Tight Night, Plan 9

This was are view, and boy was it fantastic. Eri came through on another 100% solid with one more Fantastic Plastic Machine show, but this time on the 53rd (top) floor of the Mori building in Roppongi Hills. I called Paul as a special guest and we hit the train at midnight where we met Kumiko, Swiss Dave, and Naoko. Rendezvoused with Eri, Cam and Sophie in Ebisu and finally with Hana, Hitomi and her friend at Roppongi Hills.

My ears popped on the ascent; that was my sign that tonight was going to be alright. We mingled, schuffled, and rubbed shoulders to latin house music (including a trumpet playing chick) courtesy of Tomoyuki Tanaka while taking in the Tokyo night skyline. It was a Tight Night.

Mini Hanabi

After work that Tuesday Yuko met me at the river, Tamagawa, for a miniture hanabi (fireworks) celebration. We both burnt ourselves a few times and had a heap of fun doing it. It was a really great day, although I could have done without washing my wallet.

Coolin' off in Kinuta Koen

Tuesday morning Hana drove over to pick me up and we headed to Kinuta Park for a well deserved dip in the pool. We had debated going to the beach, but decided it would not really be feasible because I had to start work at 5 that day. So after getting side-tracked a few times we arrived to find the pool completely jammed with families, there were probably more than 150 kids in the swimming area, due to the Obon holiday. There was a winding river with a pretty swift current and twin water slides that snakes around before emptying into a basin in the middle of the river loop. We swim around in the piss water, being called out several times for a 'break' (a.k.a. defecation removal), and I felt like a kid again. But later that day I accidentally washed my wallet which was very inconveniently left in the back pocket of my pants. Sometimes I wonder if there are forces working against me.....

King Carl's Bodacious BBQ

Monday, 'Carl' Louis invited Ash and I over to his penthouse for a 'thank you' BBQ which was apparently in response to some help we gave him carrying his musical instruments home after his last concert, but I think he just wanted to party. We ate & drank before Carl had to teach a lesson at his English school which I sat in on and nearly fell asleep in because I was pretty drunk. Back at his place we cooked, ate, and drank more before calling it a relatively early night. The food was superb and the company was 'superber;' Carl's family is the best. On another note, Carl's wife, Mari, read my horoscope (she is a professional astrologer) and was surprisingly accurate about my personality. It was eerie.

One Live Night: Futako Shinchi BBQ

Paul and I had talked about planning a BBQ all spring but by the time summer showed it's face I had gotten really lazy about planning anything. Paul, however, never lost the drive and despite several failed attempts his hard work finally paid off Sunday evening, much to the delight of the roughly 100 people who showed up. The main contributors besides Paul, of course, who did the vast majority, were Kotone & Taka (the drivers), Mark, Ken (the grill master), Demitri (the dj), Ashley and myself. Paul had been preparing for the last few days straight and was up & going at 6:45 that morning. Ashley swung by to drop off a big bundle of fireworks at my pad around 3 and then we headed to his place to bring his kitchen table back to my neighborhood (it was a lot easier than it sounds), then got my kitchen table and took both to the river. All the prep work went smoothly except that Ash and I saw a corpse moments after it had been a person following a very successful train jump suicide. Sometimes I hate Japan. Aside from that really crazy bullshit the BBQ went off without a hitch and lots of friends from new & old came. I had to leave several times for beer runs and to attend Kiyo's birthday party, but I still had plenty of time to socialize, dance and enjoy the night with my friends. It will go down as one of the most memorable nights of the summer...... so far.

Feelin' The Heat

I feel down at Shibuya Station Saturday morning at 5am to cap off a wild week of parties; most nights with Dave, Kumiko, and two new friends, Cam and Sophia. They are some old friends of Dirty Dave, Swiss Dave, and Oz James. I didn't get much sleep this week as the earliest I got home all week was 3am and it was 100% worth it. Friday night I was going to come home and have an easy night, but Cam invited me to come out and meet two other Oz friends, Guy and Shelly. Went to dinner then got talked into going back to this darts lounge where Dave had his welcome party. Got wasted and stayed until first train. Guy decided it would be a good idea to jump on my back about half way down the stairs in Shibuya Station. I made it all the way to the bottom before I fell forward and face planted. The Station guys were laughing at me. It hurt. And once again there are no pictures because I had no camera.

La La Lupo & Ooboke Da Noite

The first day back to work was tough but it wasn't as tough as my jackass friends not coming to Futako that night for the annual neighborhood matsuri. Yuko came late and then I choked on squid and had to wait 15 minutes for some takoyaki. fun.

After a drink with Yuko at Potluck I settled in with my crowd and got loose. My new friend Nana introduced me to this wrestler chick who I strawberry-talked. She wasn't feeling it so she put me into a submission hold which hurt a whole bundle, but I strawberry-talked my way out again. After a few wise whispers she blushed bad in front of all and let me go. Boy that hurt. I accused her of being a Lemon wearing a Lime's clothing and then SHE submitted. She gave me her beer and left. It was a successful evening.

Couldn't ask for more...

Saturday started beautifully with amazing weather as I woke up still drunk from the night before. I rarely get Saturday's off and I sure as shit wasn't going to waste this one. In fact, I had come back from Osaka early to attend Helene's, my French friend, birthday picnic (it was also her boyfriend's birthday) in Yoyogi Park. Hana came threw around 2 and we headed there to meet up with everyone. Nils, another friend comrade, arrived at the exact same time and the picnic kicked off nicely. Sam showed up later and then Ash and Betty came much later. It was a really cool afternoon chilling in the park with old and new friends. Hana left early for some dinner cruise but she picked me up later that night for karaoke in Ichigao. It was a perfect Saturday and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Forty Ounces of Yellow

Upon my 6am arrival on my midnight bus to Yokohama I made my way directly home, showered, shaved, and headed to the US Embassy in Tameike-Sanno to apply for a new Social Security card. I thought the process would be long and painful, but only took about 10 minutes and I was on my way home for a well deserved nap. Eri had invited me to Yellow for another performance by the Fantastic Plastic Machine later that night, so before that my new neighborhood friend, Yuko, came over for a drink, then Matt met us at my place and we headed to Roppongi on the last train. We caught up with Eri and her entourage and preceded to Yellow where it became known that Yuko hadn't brought any ID. I was felt bad about her not being able to get in, but that was her fault. I hope she learned her lesson. Anyway, It turned out to be a killer night partying with Matt, Eri, et al. and I actually met somebody from Miho's hometown, Tatsuno, where I had been a few days before. By the end of the night I had managed to lose everybody several times, but still was kickin' it going stud by myself. I ended up leaving alone, after Matt had apparently left for Gaspanic to pick less classy ladies, and accidentally entered the Hibiya Line. Miraculously Eri came out of nowhere to save me and pointed me back to the Oedo Line. I was so tired and drunk that if it had not been for her I might have ended up in Puerto Rico. Great Night, but sadly enough I didn't bring my camera.

Osaka: Burger & Fries

Junko's Farewell
The original reason for the trip to Osaka this time was to attend my friend Junko's going away party. It was the first night and it was great not only to see Junko again, but Miho had contacted an old friend of mine from Orlando, Wataru a.k.a. Sonic, and he made a special trip to Osaka for the party. It was also nice seeing my other Osaka friends Angus, Anderson, etc... Things got really sloppy by the end of the night starting with whiskey 'shots' that were really nearly full glasses and ending with some of Miho's jackass friends breaking beer bottles in the street, committing misdemeanor trespassing, and taunting police. They were boneheads but it was all worth it to spend the evening with Miho, Junko, Sonic and some of the others.





Himeji
Early the next morning Miho and I arose and started on our day trip to her hometown, Tatsuno, and Himeji in Hyogo. We were greeted by her mother at the perfectly rural train station (the ticket gate wasn't in operation and there was nobody to check my ticket) in Tatsuno. It was cool seeing Miho's home and being in the place where she grew up because I don't get that chance with many of my friends. After we had an afternoon snack her mother drove us back to Himeji to tour the Himeji Castle. The castle was beautiful and as an added bonus we saw some nutty dude walking a cat around on a leash.






Shikoku
The next day we got up early and departed for Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, in a car we had rented the night before. Our first stop was Naruto in Tokushima on Shikoku's north eastern tip. It is famous for these amazing whirlpools created in the Naruto Strait. Our next stop was in Kazurobashi in southern Tokushima prefecture near the border with Kochi. It has this really old wooden bridge with gapping holes that one can easily fall through. We headed back to Osaka exhausted without having eaten Sanuki udon in Takamatsu which we had planned to do.





Wakayama
Once again we headed out early, but this time for the splendid beach town of Shirahama in Wakayama. Shirahama beach is unique in that all the sand was brought in from Australia. It was sweet being back in a beach community with the smell of the ocean all around; loads of memories from Florida, Sicily, Turkey, Brazil, etc. came running through my head. I even got to see a nice rack of tits provided by some topless drunk chick. After the beach we headed to Sandanbeki, an extremely tall set of cliffs jutting up from the rocky shore, which is most notably known as a desirable suicide location. It was cool but creepy. We headed back to Osaka tired, but still managed to get out to meet Junko one last time for dinner, drinks, and karaoke.






And the last day was spent piddling around Osaka for souvenirs and chilling with Miho. She is such a great hostess. It was a great vacation.