cool


cool
Originally uploaded by renfield.

squeegeeing the windows


squeegeeing the windows
Originally uploaded by renfield.

abe lunch


abe lunch
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Wow, this is a seriously excellent lunch for only ¥1365 -- and it's a One Star Michelin restaurant!

Japanese hi tek anti-leak


Japanese hi tek anti-leak
Originally uploaded by renfield.

The top of a plastic drink bottle taped to the ceiling and attached to hose. The labeled safety cone is a nice touch to ensure no one trips over the bucket.

vodka + red bull

= pain.

measuring the train stop


measuring the train stop
Originally uploaded by renfield.

A mm ruler on the platform is used to verify how accurately the train is stopped in reference to the designated stopping mark. Every time the train stops the distance +/- the mark is checked and recorded by a man with a clipboard. Now that is what you call quality control!

smash hits


smash hits
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Everyone knows I only drink once a year, right around this time (bonus time.) This year I have made an exception; I will drink twice this year. I suspect it will the last time I make such an exception because I seriously doubt I will get promoted again for a long, long time.

The best part about the day wasn't the debauchery and beers at Ginza Lion, nor the atrocious singing and vodka fizzies (or whatever they're called) at Smash Hits. It wasn't even the unending stream of problems I am called upon to solve, nor the depth and breadth of interesting work I am challenged with on a daily basis. It wasn't the hand shakes and back-pats and "well done"s, nor even the minor torture at the hands of my bosses who basically had me convinced I did not get promoted until the end of the chat whereby I was informed that, due to a gross oversight on the part of senior management, I managed to slip in under the radar.

No actually, the best part is the fact that I have the privilege to work for and with the absolute best goddamn Credit team on the street, bar none, hands down, full stop. And all the capable and impressive folks on my team appreciate me and my wee attempts at being useful enough to want to see me promoted. The fact that I can command even the slightest respectful acknowledgment from these fine professionals is the real gift. Oh, and the chance to sing Sweet Home Alabama with a bunch of Brits. That's pretty keen, too.

And now I'm off to bed. I have an early Compliance meeting in which I am sure to be totally useless, assuming I even make it at all!

Added more photos.

under cover @ akiba


under cover @ akiba
Originally uploaded by renfield.

Piles of slush and driving snow could not deter us from the requisite pilgrimage to Akiba! A little Chinese food recharge and we were as good as new, though perhaps a bit moistened.