Going large never felt so good

Tonight was the scheduled night for my part-time job's party. It was really fun to get loose and go large on a much smaller scale that the 3 previous nights. A university mate that I never actually met until I came to Japan, Captain D-Rock "One S," was out in full force as was Fujisawa, the baddest mutha ever. All those new folks at my part-time job are cool as hell!

Fuji and Säntis

Fuji

I guess growing up in Florida gave me a certain appreciation for mountains, but anyway, I have never got tired of them and I hope I never do.

Säntis

2 Many Doodes/Tanka is Ghost

Saturday I met Tanka in Harajuku again and headed for a house party. We stayed there for a few hours then I headed to Roppongi to meet Trenton, Miho, and a few ex-NOVA students for an enjoyable meal of Mexican food at La Fiesta. Then it was time to rendezvous with the crowd for karaoke in Mizonokuchi, it being Matt's farewell bash. We went large. I fell off my bike on the way home and face-planted on asphalt which has left me with a bloody chin, shoulder, and knee, as well as a little less dignity. Cam lost his camera, but later miraculously found it hidden away in the least likely location: his jacket pocket. Good luck in Canada, Matt, where the girls are as big as bears and wallow around in animal carcasses!!!

Sunset Drive in Shinjuku/GasPanic

Friday night, Matt "Maslenka Tha Tanka" and I met in Harajuku for a quick bite then headed to Okubo for my friend Toshi's concert. His band, Sunset Drive, is pretty good and always an enjoyable show. After the show Tanka and I headed for Shibuya so Matt could get some closure at not being able to visit GasPanic again. He loves that filthy club.

My Kanji

Jimmy じみ

The new model Suzuki

My friend's, Hiro and Yuriko Suzuki, finally had their baby boy. His name is still in question, but I suggested 'James.' It was not received well........

Dad's Dad/Baby Cakes

JFK/The Professor Brothers

TomKat/Position of the Day

Let it snow!

This winter's first sizable snow in Tokyo, crossing the Tama River.

Million Dollar Babies

I finished my first week of work (only Monday through Thursday!!!!!!) feeling jazzed, pumped, and psyched all at the same time. Manu scheduled his birthday party for 8pm that night in Shinjuku and I finished at 6, which gave me plenty of time to head home for a shower, meet up with Matt "Maslenka tha Tanka" (who is back in Tokyo for a week), and get to Manu's party. However, some asshole decided to do him/herself on what Jarrett Bellini considers the most depressing day of the year, January 24th, at Takatsu station and managed to shut down south eastern Tokyo and western Kanagawa for 4 hours!!!! It must have been a messy one because it usually only take 20 minutes to clean up. Trains were either stopped or so crowded/slow that they were impossible to take and the roads were jammed with people in taxis. I finally arrived at Manu's party after 10pm and were enjoyed a birthday toast. It turned out to be a good night and as a side added bonus, Kiyo returned from Hakodate with top-notch souvenirs: squid paste & some bubble wrap squares for popping! The Good Life......

KURUMI

Shinagawa Soiree

Jiro invited me to a party that a friend of mine, Walter, was having at his home in Shinagawa last Sunday because, and I quote, "There are too many girls here." I walked in the place and felt like I was in some post mod museum with the leather furniture and what not. Needless to say, the place was immaculate and only a 4 minute walk from Shinagawa station.

The Winnebago Man

I don't wanna grow up!

This new video I made, I don't wanna grow up!, had more than 2,000 views in a few hours. Then I noticed it had made the 'Featured Movie' on the website I use to edit, Jumpcut. I have to say I wasn't expecting that to happen.

Tom 'Mutha Fuckin' Hanks

The Mothman Prophecies: Redeux

It had been about 4 years since I had last seen The Mothman Prophecies and when I saw it then, in Spain at Iowa's apartment, it freaked me out completely. Well, after Betty left my place Kotone and I went to Tamaplaza to meet Taka. We rented The Mothman Prophecies, which I though was going to knock my socks off again, but strangely, it had quite the opposite effect on me. I don't know whether I was just drunk or actually had a genuinely enlightening experience, but this time I saw the Mothman not as a psychotic angel of death, but as a benevolent well-wisher just trying to warn folks about impending danger. He was all like, "Hey, ya'll. There's gonna to be some shit breakin' off here soon." But nobody could to understand his message because they were cousin-banging yokels, except for Richard Gere who was some big shot know-it-all from the Washington Post. Anyway, the moral of the story that I got was to give peace a chance or some bullshit.

Huge Ass Dog

The majority of Tokyoites seem to have small little shit kicking pooches that give the urge to stomp on them. Then, there is this chick I saw today. Keep in mind that she is a full grown, above average woman. That dog was one lanky monster that probably had about 6 inches on her; the Tayshaun Prince of dogtown Tokyo.

Mi Ho Fo To

After Yoyogi I headed to Shinagawa to meet up with Miho and Ryo 'Bear Trap Sally' Watanabe. She is living in Tokyo for a short period while training for her new job at Rakuten and then heading back for Kobe, near her home town of Himeji, in Hyogo. This is a cool photo she took from Odaiba at sunset.

Tap Dance & The Basketball Man

Sunday was another beautiful day, so I decided to take a walk through Yoyogi Park; I have been going there a lot recently, its a really nice place. Got a modeling gig by some photographer (which can be seen here, KURUMI), came up on a rave with a blue Devil, tap dancing chicks, loads of weirdos with mediocre performances, and..... THE BASKETBALL MAN!! I have been waiting to see this guy for a long time. He travels the world doing his thing street performing with his basketball skills. I have been hearing about his exploits from a ton of friends and acquaintances for years from every corner or the globe. Simply amazing.

Action Frank

Dad likes wacky gifts. So, this year I persuaded Meat Wad, from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, to let Mabry and I purchase his Action Frank action figure to give to our loving father. What a treat!

World Informations

Last time Dirty Dave left Japan he inspired me to start a blog about the nightly party I live and other events in my daily life. It turned out to be a good hobby and somewhat of a stress reliever. Now that he has come and gone again, he has left me with another gem: The TED Conference. So, as a part of of my New Year's resolution, I have decided to start a blog focusing on social and academic news/ideas/views. Social contribution is a part of my life I wish to further develop in 2008 and, therefore, it looks like my other option for a blog, Daily Domestic Adventures, is going to have to wait on the burner (at least for the time being). Check it out at World Informations. I would also like to thank my sister for the motivation to start doing this.

Hostage Earplugs

That's all folks

And just like that, Mabry was going through the security screen and off back to Florida. The week went by fast and was probably the best I have spent in Japan during my entire time here.

Sushi Me This, Batman

After our excursion we met up with Hideki for a final coffee and the Headed to Saginuma for a sushi dinner with Kotone and her posse: Taka, Satoko, Saku, and Kazue. We, mostly me, ate 47 plates in about 45 minutes and left fully bloated and feeling nice. I had this photo snapped with Kazue and I so it looked like she was 100 yen. ZING!

Next to Last

Meiji Jingu

Thursday we got out relatively early and made our way to Shibuya for sushi and walk through Yoyogi Park to Shinjuku for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. A few twists; 1. Problem: All the sushi shops were either closed or crowded - Solution: McDonald's; 2. Surprise: There was a huge ass worship/festival going on at the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park near Harajuku; 3. Problem: The government building was closed in Shinjuku - Solution: tour Nishi-Shinjuku, the skyscraper district, and see my part time job's office.

Along the way we went through Shinjuku station and passed the Krispy Kreme which always has a ridiculously long line; at least 1 hour. These people are pastry fanatics.

Nishi-Shinjuku

Dirty Dave's Last Dance

After Mabry and I returned from Takao and rested a bit we headed to Shibuya to meet David and Eri for a traditional farewell shabu shabu dinner. Dave was only back in Japan for a few weeks but we got to chill a few times. He is a good friend and will be missed again. At his request I will be starting a "Daily Domestic Adventures" blog/article that will highlight and embellish my daily misadventures like accidentally cutting my toe while trimming my nails and buying expired bean sprouts. Farewell (again) Dirty Dave.

Hachiko & Mabry

Hachiko & Mabry - Hachiko Square, Shibuya, Tokyo

Trip to Takao

Mount Takao

Wednesday we took a day trip to Mount Takao in eastern Tokyo, which is a lot less strenuous than Mount Fuji. We took the chair lift most of the way up and then hiked the rest of the way to the summit. Coming down we stopped in the Temple/Shrine complex then headed back to base. The views of Fuji, and the Tokyo Metro/Yokohama area were absolutely nuts.

Tokyo and Kanagawa

Evolution of Fuji

New Year's Fuji

Big in '09

As pointed out by an old friend, Ashley, we can say "Big in '09" now, but really its just finally '08. New Year's Eve was eventful with another concert performed by Kotone's sister, Satoko, with another of her band's. This band is headed by Koji Kikkawa and is no doubt a lot more famous. There were about 30,000 people for the concert and we got in free with backstage passes. After the concert Mabry and I headed to Shibuya to meet Dave, Eri, Cam, Sophi, Hana and some others, but Dave was really late, so Mabry and I headed to Nishi-Azabu for a party with Jiro at Muse. It was crazy.

Last Call

Hideki, Mabry, and Futa

As of December 31st POTLUCK will under a drastic staff change. Tetsuya , Futa, and a few others are quitting and opening their own bar in the neighborhood. It will be cool for them, but the will be in direct competition with POTLUCK and that place is really cool. So, after the kimono event we popped into POTLUCK for one last drink served up by Tetsuya. Thanks for all the good times, guys!

Te-chan

International Intrigue

Hideki presented Mabry with 4 kimonos on Saturday evening and Taka's mother dressed her up in one of them while us guys drank. Its crazy how much these things cost because every one of them has to be hand-made, they average around US$10,000.

POV Christmas