loud


loud
Originally uploaded by renfield.

On the right is my house. On the left is the "noise blocking" plastic squares enclosing the old office building/factory that at this moment is being torn down via the aggressive use of serious heavy construction equipment.
Note that the distance between the two is about 50 centimeters. Also imagine the total lack of effectiveness of a piece of plastic to block the bone-rumbling sound made by machinery designed to pulverize concrete.
So yes, we will be moving in a matter of weeks, and none too soon!

astronaut jesus


astronaut jesus
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Jen had a posse in town, so we did the Akihabara thing. Somewhere around the 4th floor of Yellow Submarine we found the ultimate action figure: Astronaut Jesus.

Also don't miss the cool TVs.

gonna make love to you...

...just as soon as I finish this level.

dojo debut

First Day of Spring (Infernal Equinox I think it's called) is a national holiday in Japan. Beautiful sunny weather so we strapped in the Tonchabeast and headed over to Honbu Dojo where they were having a wee eating and drinking festivity. By the time we got these everyone was done stuffing themselves, and Tonchan promptly fell asleep on the Shihanseki (teacher's seat at the front of the dojo.)
Salty took some photos.

When we got home I was really, really jonesin' for some pizza, so we ordered from Salvatore's. P and I put away 3 larges. Granted, they're all Japanese-sized, cheeseless, and thin crust. But still, damn that woman can eat!

sunburn


sunburn
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Papa is the master of understatement: "Forgot the sunscreen."
Indeed. Good thing he has Leprechaun powers to regenerate.

ikea tonchan


ikea tonchan
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Standard early morning wakeup, quick breakfast, then onto the train to head down to Ikea in Shinyokohama. Not 30 minutes on the train, and then onto the waiting shuttle bus. Just after opening, so Ikea wasn't too crowded and Tonchan was in a fine mood. Wandered the furniture jungle and checked out the sleeper sofas, shelving units, and other bits and bobs before feeding Tonchan and then inhaling several hotdogs. Back on the shuttle bus and up to Shibuya.

We walked over to Harajuku and up the street to check out antiques at Oriental Bazaar, and walked straight into the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Actually most folks were on the street checking out the parade, so the store and sidewalks were empty. A couple of nice pieces but nothing really calling, and Tonchan needed a diaper change so we walked up to Crayonhouse, then down to Nishi Azabu Crossing and got a cab home.

Tonchan was totally zonked and didn't even wake up for her bath; just slept!

farewell, ben

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Ben Miller.
Seems he died at the end of February after suffering two brain aneurysms.
Good friend, great man, internet legacy.