Tropical Paradise?

This is for all you who watch the movies and believe Florida is some kind of year-round sun romp. Right now it is much warmer in Tokyo than in my hometown.....

Mini-snowmen. Ocala, Florida

Frozen fountain.... at noon. FSU, Tallahassee, Florida

New Year Eve 2009/New Year 2010

For New Year's this year I decided to forgo the quasi-traditional party at MUSE in Nishi-Azabu and do something more orthodox. The original plan was to go Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park, but at the last minute we decided to go to Zojo Temple under the Tokyo Tower and it was the right choice. We met up with 3 friends, Trenton, Jason, and Akira, at 9pm at Hamamatsucho Station and walked to the temple to check out a quick rehearsal before heading back to Ale House 82 to grab a few drinks before the actual countdown. The drinks were good, and we managed to get seats.... next to a group of touristy looking types (they will be mentioned again). At 11:15 we headed back to the temple, which had become quite crowded for the countdown. All were in high spirits at midnight, the balloons were released, people cheered, and then rushed into the temple to pray. It was a relaxed stampede that got hairy a few times, but we made it through and after, enjoyed a few a beers and amazake at the temple. Around 2am we headed back to the station and parted ways with the guys. As we climbed the stairs so we get up the platform to the Yamanote line we hear some yelling, go to check it out, and find some crazed "touristy looking" type of chick sitting on the platform screaming "Do I look like an alien!?!?!?" while sitting with her legs spread out to about 135 degrees and waving her arms like an octopus (she did look like an alien). Then we realized that she was one of the girls who was sitting directly next to us at Ale House 82. She was with her boyfriend acting an ass on the platform and he was getting really embarrassed. He was saying, "Babe... Babe... Are you OK?" Then she started yelling, "Take me to the police!" Things were getting out of hand and there was a large crowd forming. At that point the boyfriend started with, "What the f*ck are you talking about?" and the girl tried to run away but she was drunk and was falling down so he grabbed her arm which caused her to fall on her back against a big pipe. More crazy screaming ensued, after which the train came and she tried to get on it, but the dude grabbed her arm because she was falling again.... and again she fell on her back halfway on the train. All the people on the train thought he was beating her. She went limp in protest as he was literally dragging her off the train back onto the platform. I usually like watching meltdowns, but this one was probably the most unnerving I have seen in awhile. Other than that experience it was a very fulfilling New Year's celebration. Welcome Year of the Tiger!

Christmas 2009

We left out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.

all moved

I am all moved in to my "new" digs in Youga. I say "new" because the place is probably 30 years old, but very spacious and about 30,000円 cheaper than my old place in Futako. The added bonus is being neighbors with Karl Louis!!

The shirt of the Century!

女性に優しいサイズです。

I found this shirt while fighting my way through the Don Quixote in Shibuya last week. It was begging to be sent as gift to my Swiss friend Gabriel. Translation: "It's a good size for girls."

溝口の駅長Mizonokuchi Stationmaster

The New Stationmaster at JR Mizonokuchi Station
JR溝口駅な新しい駅長

sunset over Mt. Fuji 富士山の夕焼け

A silhouetted Mt. Fuji from Futakotamagawa Station over the Tamagawa River
多摩川に架かる二子玉川駅からの富士山のシルエット

the views never get old

some rocking views of Tokyo from the Tokyo Tower courtesy of the girlfriend

Like father, like son

Rudy G. Sr. & Rudy G. Jr.

Ghost Buster

Awesome Ghostbusters Multitrack - Watch more Funny Videos

around Tokyo

some terrible graffiti

Miyamasuzaka, Shibuya
宮益坂、渋谷

Takeshita, Harajuku
竹下、原宿

246, 用賀、世田谷区
246, Youga, Setagaya-ku

@ the batting cage

Ray of Light

Mary Blair

Went to the Mary Blair exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo today with the girlfriend courtesy of one of my students who works for the Ghibli Museum. Good stuff.

People of Walmart/Ricky Tic

I was recently tipped off to a new photo blog, called People of Walmart by father, which is effing hilarious. While I was perusing through the pics of the PoW one them jumped out at me through the youtube website drawn on the back of his rockin' jean jacket.... His name is Ricky Tic.

Captain Hardworker

Mike Barnett passed away today. The world has lost another great soul too early....

Mr. Barnett and my mother had started working for Hillcrest at the same time and mom often said that he was the only reason she stayed in special education. He was loved by students, teachers, and parents alike.

Please say hello to my mom for me, Captain Hardworker. The world already misses you.

-James

27

Jiro and I had our annual birthday party at the Pink Cow in Shibuya this year. I was pretty fun, but not that many folks made out due to the approaching typhoon. Anyway, it was good times.

今年オレと次郎は渋谷のPinkCowでオレたちの誕生日パーチィをした。　楽しかったけどちょっと静かな。

Simple Jack

With elections coming up, local Kawasaki politican, Daishiro Yamagiwa (山際　大志郎), took time out to do his Simple Jack (Ben Stiller) impersonation from Tropic Thunder.

多摩川花火

Tamagawa Fireworks Festival 2009
多摩川花火

A day(s) at the beach

Kamakura Beach
鎌倉
August 2009