practice makes perfect

Or in my case, practice makes me insane, realizing how totally uncoordinated I am. Niina-gosoke has told me I am to take my rokudan (6th dan) shihan exam in December. I have 8 months. I am screwed.

construction noise

The construction down the street has a helpful decibel-display board that shows loudness in realtime. At 7:30 in the AM with no construction going on, background noise from the street is almost 60 decibels. So glad I am not around during the day when they're working. Doubly glad my house has double-pained glass that blocks out an amazing amount of noise.

don't try this @ home

Only a trained professional can try such dangerous toothpink antics.

nora jones

Saw Nora Jones at Tokyo International Hall. My but isn't she a cutie. Most decidedly mellow and enjoyable show. After the concert we walked over to Shinhinomoto for some grubby eats. The food is wonderful, but damn if it isn't a stinky smoke pit. Got home reaking of cigarette smoke and had to fabreeze our clothes and air out the room. Nasty nasty.

coffee & cigarettes

Ever the Jim Jarmusch fans, Hiroko and I went to Shibuya to see Coffee and Cigarettes. Generally entertaining, and Bill Murray is, once again, proven to be a genius of the understated.
Such a beautiful sunny day that after the movie we walked over to Harajuku for some Nathan's hotdogs, then up through Aoyama and down to Nishi-Azabu (our standard treck, which one of these days I shall have to properly measure but it must be at least a few kilometers.)