abe lunch
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Wow, this is a seriously excellent lunch for only ¥1365 -- and it's a One Star Michelin restaurant!
abe lunch
abe lunch
Originally uploaded by renfield.
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.
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.
sankoen
Mama's back from Kyoto, etc. Had a great time.
Jenn and Pete in from the states, having a great time.
Spent the morning shopping @ National Azabu and then I took off for Zazen.
When I came back I helped Mama make some meatballs and bake a poppyseed cake, and then there was only one thing left to do: yakiniku for dinner!
Ah, meatfest II.
Jenn and Pete in from the states, having a great time.
Spent the morning shopping @ National Azabu and then I took off for Zazen.
When I came back I helped Mama make some meatballs and bake a poppyseed cake, and then there was only one thing left to do: yakiniku for dinner!
Ah, meatfest II.
outback
So your basic mad, mad Friday. On the one hand I certainly appreciate that I've finally convinced everyone at work that
But I digress. Managed to tear myself out of the office and met Todd for dinner and bonus-time chit chat. We checked out the German Sausage bar but it was packed with work people; no room to sit and even if we could, no room to gossip.
We also couldn't get into Gyukaku so we headed over to Outback for a proper meatfest. Themes of discussion: money. promotions. this industry kills people.
The usual stuff.
- I know what I'm doing and,
- I can help.
But I digress. Managed to tear myself out of the office and met Todd for dinner and bonus-time chit chat. We checked out the German Sausage bar but it was packed with work people; no room to sit and even if we could, no room to gossip.
We also couldn't get into Gyukaku so we headed over to Outback for a proper meatfest. Themes of discussion: money. promotions. this industry kills people.
The usual stuff.
winning numbers
Attention everyone who got a new year's card from me. You didn't already trash it did you? On the bottom right there is a six-digit number.
Check that number against this list. Numbers must match in order, from right to left.
So for example if the last two digits are 37 or 64, you win some stamps!
Any winners? Send the card back to me if it's something good we can split it.
Prizes this year include:
Check that number against this list. Numbers must match in order, from right to left.
So for example if the last two digits are 37 or 64, you win some stamps!
Any winners? Send the card back to me if it's something good we can split it.
Prizes this year include:
- 37" Aquos HD flat panel TV
- Mac Book Classic + iPod
- Japan Post Special Edition DS-lite
- Some stamps
- A Bike-to-work set (?)
- Cans of Soup from Imperial Hotel
naho shabu!
naho shabu!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Naho is off to Singapore so we celebrated with...paper-thin sliced meats!
sankaiki
Got up early and took the expressway bus up to Ibaraki for grandpa's sankaiki (3rd funeral anniversary.)
We went to the Buddhist temple down the street in the village next to the cemetery, burned some incense and listened to some chanting by the elementary school teach - slash - priest, then did some more of the same at the gravestones in the cemetery.
Headed back to the house to rest and watch some Osaka Marathon on TV, then went out for lunch.
Tonchan ate a whole crab-shell gratin and had great fun stumbling all over the place, and Masa was downed by the stomach flu that's going around.
We headed home, Tonchan took a little nursing and napping break, and then about 3 we headed out to get the train home.
Finally got back to the apartment about 6; quick dinner and a bath and the ladies went to bed.
Long, long day!
We went to the Buddhist temple down the street in the village next to the cemetery, burned some incense and listened to some chanting by the elementary school teach - slash - priest, then did some more of the same at the gravestones in the cemetery.
Headed back to the house to rest and watch some Osaka Marathon on TV, then went out for lunch.
Tonchan ate a whole crab-shell gratin and had great fun stumbling all over the place, and Masa was downed by the stomach flu that's going around.
We headed home, Tonchan took a little nursing and napping break, and then about 3 we headed out to get the train home.
Finally got back to the apartment about 6; quick dinner and a bath and the ladies went to bed.
Long, long day!
70.1!
Is my weight in kilos. That's 11.04 stone for you Brits, and 154.5 pounds for the remaining unmetric heathens.
I think the last time I had this weight I was in high school.
So there is an upside to not eating for a couple of days because of a lovely stomach ailment.
I think the last time I had this weight I was in high school.
So there is an upside to not eating for a couple of days because of a lovely stomach ailment.
snow
snow
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Woke up this morning feeling like ass; joints hurt, stomach grumbling, head throbbing. Ah, the joys of the winter norovirus. I guess what Hiroko had last week has come full circle back to me (again.)
At least it was really cold and snowing this morning, making the walk to work a treacherous adventure is slipping and sliding.
@ midtown starbucks
@ midtown starbucks
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Met Newman and Roland at Suji's for some monster brunch and then headed up to Midtown to chill. Checked out the cool Muji and the Ritz-Carlton 45th floor lobby before rolling him. A proper lazy Sunday.
hi jen!
R1010320.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Jen's in town for a few days, hanging with the ladies and taking care of bidness.
farewell chahan
Chahan ended his 6-month run in Tokyo and is back home to London after a brief stopover in South America for some much needed beach time.
We started the evening with proper pub munchies at Finn McCools, and then ended up walking over to Nishi Azabu for Kenbokeh because Video-D and the Knitter needed some right proper curry action.
Got home about 1ish; a smallish night out.
We started the evening with proper pub munchies at Finn McCools, and then ended up walking over to Nishi Azabu for Kenbokeh because Video-D and the Knitter needed some right proper curry action.
Got home about 1ish; a smallish night out.
punching = sore legs
Not sure if this means I'm doing it right or wrong, but after an hour of 3 minute rounds consisting entirely of punch and recover combos against a heavy bag and pads...my left thigh is really, really sore...?
sick P
There is some gnarly stomach norovirus going around that seems to be The Sickness this winter. I had it a month ago (lost 4 kilos and still keeping it off!), Tonchan had a bit of a tummy ache last week and now P got slammed. She stayed home from work so I took Tonchan to school in the morning and then after lunch picked her up and took her home, then came home from work as quickly as I could to take of Ton with P in bed sick.
When I dropped of Ton in the morning she cried when the teacher took her out of my arms...and when I picked her up to go home in the afternoon she cried when I took her out of the teacher's arms! Make up your mind, kid!
Tonchan @ school
(In case you're wondering Tonchan is the Asian-looking kid on the right, not the blonde dude with monkey.)
When I dropped of Ton in the morning she cried when the teacher took her out of my arms...and when I picked her up to go home in the afternoon she cried when I took her out of the teacher's arms! Make up your mind, kid!
Tonchan @ school
(In case you're wondering Tonchan is the Asian-looking kid on the right, not the blonde dude with monkey.)
iai weekend
Three day weekend (Coming of Age Day on Monday) so did bunches of iai.
On Sunday we had the official First Practice of the Year. Upwards of 200 members showed up and Gosoke had me run the advanced group. We cranked through a few kata in excruciating detail, comparing how certain bits and bobs are the same no matter what direction you move nor what kata you do.
After practice we trundled down the street in the freezing wind and took over the back half of a local izakaya for several hours. We commandeered a bunch of tables and ate and drank for a while, getting progressively more silly.
The next day started early; got to Honbu before 9am, grabbed my gear, and walked down the street to help load the van for the cutting session. We drove down the street to the gym and unloaded, got set up and started about 10am. Most folks cut okay (only doing half targets though) and I did a couple decent cuts on full targets. Still way rusty -- need to get training more!
In the afternoon we headed back to Honbu for Kagamibiraki; the opening of the mochi. Basically an excuse to eat lots of rice paste and other stuff, drink a bunch, and be generally silly again.
P and Tonchan came by and of course got all the attention, leaving P a chance to eat for a couple hours.
On Sunday we had the official First Practice of the Year. Upwards of 200 members showed up and Gosoke had me run the advanced group. We cranked through a few kata in excruciating detail, comparing how certain bits and bobs are the same no matter what direction you move nor what kata you do.
After practice we trundled down the street in the freezing wind and took over the back half of a local izakaya for several hours. We commandeered a bunch of tables and ate and drank for a while, getting progressively more silly.
The next day started early; got to Honbu before 9am, grabbed my gear, and walked down the street to help load the van for the cutting session. We drove down the street to the gym and unloaded, got set up and started about 10am. Most folks cut okay (only doing half targets though) and I did a couple decent cuts on full targets. Still way rusty -- need to get training more!
In the afternoon we headed back to Honbu for Kagamibiraki; the opening of the mochi. Basically an excuse to eat lots of rice paste and other stuff, drink a bunch, and be generally silly again.
P and Tonchan came by and of course got all the attention, leaving P a chance to eat for a couple hours.
fighting (un)fitness
Finally got my lazy butt to the dojo for the first time in forever. Taking advantage of the fact that I had some nasty stomach virus a couple weeks ago and lost a ton of weight (down to less than 73 kilos!) I figured it would be easier for my outta shape body.
Oh, the glorious pain. Inoue-sensei was glad to see me and worked me through several 3 minute rounds on the heavy bag, for a solid hour, with one 2 minute water break. Now, the day after, I can barely lift my arms, my ass is sore, I have a blister on the ball of my left foot, and I weighed exactly 72.0 kilos this morning.
So to celebrate I had a HUGE shabu shabu lunch, with a second helping of rice and extra pork to go with the double-plate of beef.
I think this is the new schedule: Tues and Thur skip outta work just after the lunch rush and hit the 1-2pm DAGEKI class. If I also manage to get to Honbu Dojo on Wed nights to teach sword, I might actually get into some reasonable shape by the end of the year.
Oh, the glorious pain. Inoue-sensei was glad to see me and worked me through several 3 minute rounds on the heavy bag, for a solid hour, with one 2 minute water break. Now, the day after, I can barely lift my arms, my ass is sore, I have a blister on the ball of my left foot, and I weighed exactly 72.0 kilos this morning.
So to celebrate I had a HUGE shabu shabu lunch, with a second helping of rice and extra pork to go with the double-plate of beef.
I think this is the new schedule: Tues and Thur skip outta work just after the lunch rush and hit the 1-2pm DAGEKI class. If I also manage to get to Honbu Dojo on Wed nights to teach sword, I might actually get into some reasonable shape by the end of the year.
fire alarm!
fire alarm!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Came out of the bath, put on my PJs, and heard the most horrendous racket. The fire alarm was sounding! Got P and Tonchan to get dressed and get outside whilst I ran the stairs checking the floors for smoke. Didn't see anything but called the fire department just in case after I called the maintenance company.
Outside we met our new upstairs neighbors who just moved in, literally. This mini firetruck arrived and about 10 firemen checked the building, then the security company dude arrived and turned off the alarm. As suspected it was a false alarm, possibly caused by the new neighbors turning on the heater for the first time in a while, though that seems pretty suspect.
Anyway it's an old building and good to know the fire alarm works!
ebt gang
The Stedt in town with family and the Spike posse leaving for HK soon, so we rallied the old EBT team for pizza and parenting.
librarian to the stars
Most awesomest guy you'll ever mean, and a veritable cornucopia of knowledge. The man, the myth, the legend: David Smith.
these boots are made for walkin'
R1010135.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Did some shopping in Shibuya and had lunch at Seibu. Ton loves riding the escalator and attempting to walk the stairs.
Algorithm March - Sony robot
What to do with the coolest, most advanced small robot in the world: put it on a kid's show doing the Alogrithm March dance.
old and new friends
R1010123
Originally uploaded by renfield.
The Man from LA came for a visit; haven't seen him in forever! Got some burgers at Midtown and then goofed of with Tonchan.
resolutions
And now it's time for the traditional new year's resolutions. In no particular order, and with little hope of making it to March let alone all year:
- Clean up my god damn English. Use more creative turns-o'-phrase and exercise the thesaurus to reduce swearing.
Hedge: reduce swearing, in the finance industry? - <70 kilos. Eat right, eat less, exercise more. Walk 10,000 steps a day (walk home from work, take the stairs if it's less than 4 floors away), get my lazy butt back into the dojo 3 times a week.
Hedge: latest health check said my ideal weight is 65 k. Yeah, if I was some skinny little Japanese dude. Alternatively, I could cut off a leg. - Sit every day.
Hedge: Nishijima-roshi says to sit twice a day. Does sitting and watching TV count?
happy new year!
2007-nengajyo5
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Slept in like the lazy bum I am, ate the traditional left overs breakfast (spaghetti and brussels sprouts this year), and headed out to Hikawa Jinja for the traditional first-shrine-visit of the year.
Then wandered up to Roppongi Hills, lost a glove, went back and found it, checked out some mediocre taiko drumming, and came home to play with my newly arrived digital camera.
end-of-year house cleaning
I took all the stuff I don't need/use and sold it at Sofmap in Akiba. Wasn't too crowded but still it took a couple of hours so I did some wandering and hit the Tully's to do some reading and drink a soy cocoa. When all was said and done I got nearly 50,000 points, so I headed off to the main Sofmap to pick out a new digital camera.
Both Daboo and Royborg rave about the Ricoh GR 2, and it has the one dorky feature I want: manually adjustable f-stop so I can do cool depth-of-field photos.
Of course Sofmap was all sold out of the GR 2 so I'll have to order it online.
Oh yeah, now would be a good time to actually learn what the hell f-stop means...
Both Daboo and Royborg rave about the Ricoh GR 2, and it has the one dorky feature I want: manually adjustable f-stop so I can do cool depth-of-field photos.
Of course Sofmap was all sold out of the GR 2 so I'll have to order it online.
Oh yeah, now would be a good time to actually learn what the hell f-stop means...
security theater
Patrick Smith does a perfect job summarizing the utter futility and stupidity of the TSA. I for one am ready and willing to join the revolution. In fact, I already have, with my wallet: given the choice I simply do not fly anywhere near the USA, though sadly the TSA's influence on security policy is nearly universal, and I still end up flying to the states on business anyway.
*sigh* Some day the world's leaders will be rational, reasonable people who make intelligent choices based on facts, wisdom, and keen insight. Until then, be a good citizen; stay scared and shut up.
*sigh* Some day the world's leaders will be rational, reasonable people who make intelligent choices based on facts, wisdom, and keen insight. Until then, be a good citizen; stay scared and shut up.
3 generations @ aoyagi
3 generations @ aoyanagi
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Went to the Gyokufukai bonenkai in Takadanobaba and then took the JR line back to Harajuku and walked through Aoyama and Nishi Azabu. Down by Nishi Azabu crossing there is a traditional Japanese sweets place called Aoyagi, run by the Aoyagi family.
End of year is a busy time, with everyone ordering mochi so three generations were hard at work: grandpa was pounding rice into mochi with a machine straight out of the 1920's whilst his son and grandsons (the smallest in 3rd grade) formed the mochi into traditional year-end goodies, and grandma and mom minded the shop. I went in and bought some senbei and cookies, taking grandma's suggestion of course.
making mochi sweets
Originally uploaded by renfield.
@ mitsukoshi
@ mitsukoshi
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Did some wandering about Ginza and Shinbashi before we met Tai-kun and his parents for all-you-can-eat Italian at the restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental lobby.
Crowded! Everyone's shopping on Christmas Eve (or maybe celebrating the Emporer's birthday?)
xmas party
Went to the Yoshidas for their annual Christmas Party. Much good food and many fun times. Roy convinced me I need to upgrade my digital camera to a Ricoh, too.
cards!
cards!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Adding to her repertoire of skills that includes opening and closing cabinets and drawers, unscrewing the tops off of jars, opening bottles of soap, shampoo, and lotion, pulling anything off of the shelves, table, desk, chair, couch, yanking magnets off of the fridge, and pulling wallets, blackberries, and anything else out of your bag, Tonchan is also now perfectly capable of taking every single card out of your wallet, purse, and/or organizer and spreading them all about the floor to her own great amusement.
And she can't even walk on her own yet.
stomach trouble
Felt pretty bad Sunday night, thinking it was the cake and all the stuff I ate on Sunday. Took Monday off and didn't eat. Figured I'd be ok so went to work this morning, felt alright and had lunch. Big mistake. Came home early to curl up into a fetal position and moan in pain. Thinking now I got some of that stomach flu going around. Fun...
dad's red polkadot boxers
dad's red polkadot boxers
Originally uploaded by renfield.
disclaimer: she put them on all by herself
bonenkai
Despite the financial regulators' best imitation of The Grinch, the end of year parties proceeded full force. Good eats at the ANA Hotel, and a back room full of PINBALL! Hadn't played The Addams Family since college, and man it was fun to fire up the old flipper skills.
After that we headed to Muse and proceeded to blow through the max room occupancy. I spent too much time keeping idiots from RBS and GS out of our party (hint: when I say "for your own safety I'm not letting you in" means that if you come in here waving your GS bracelet around you will get the living snot beaten out of you. What part of "DB" don't you get?)
Upstairs was quite lively as well given the Girls Bar night event, and by 1:30 we had managed to get next door for some much needed ramen and gyoza.
Finally made it to bed about 4am and was in work by 8:10 this morning. Just a wee bit sleepy.
After that we headed to Muse and proceeded to blow through the max room occupancy. I spent too much time keeping idiots from RBS and GS out of our party (hint: when I say "for your own safety I'm not letting you in" means that if you come in here waving your GS bracelet around you will get the living snot beaten out of you. What part of "DB" don't you get?)
Upstairs was quite lively as well given the Girls Bar night event, and by 1:30 we had managed to get next door for some much needed ramen and gyoza.
Finally made it to bed about 4am and was in work by 8:10 this morning. Just a wee bit sleepy.
gyukaku
Why, oh why do I call Newman and proceed to eat far, far too much bbq meat?
Perhaps because it's so. damn. good.
Well at least the walk home took off a good 10-20 calories.
Perhaps because it's so. damn. good.
Well at least the walk home took off a good 10-20 calories.
birthday (cup)cake
IMG_0211.JPG
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Miri made a bunch of awesome carrot cake (with cream cheese frosting) cupcakes for Tonchan's birthday. I managed to sneak out of work early enough to have dinner and then celebratory cake with the Tonchabeast.
P put up a bunch more photos, too.
happy birthday tonchan!
The mighty Tonchabeast has been stalking the earth for a whole year now!
Bro says happy b-day, too.
Bro says happy b-day, too.
urahara art gallery
urahara art gallery
Originally uploaded by renfield.
P was getting her hair cut so I took Tonchan for a walkabout in the back streets of Harajuku. Passed this cool apartment building turned into some kind of art students' gallery or something. Fit right in with all the hip and trendiness of the back streets.
We also randomly found BathingApe for Kids and had to spend way too much money on a supercool hoody for Tonchan for her birthday.
taco derio
taco derio
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Nathans is no more! Went to get hotdogs for lunch but it's now a Taco Derio.
fat bastard
OK, got my health check results. Now once again, I admit and take full responsibility for the fact that I have been busting my butt at work and spending as much time as I can outside of that with Tonchan, and therefore I have not been in the dojo anywhere near as much as I should. So I am indeed a fat bastard.
But this health check in Japan is killing me, seriously.
I weigh 75 kilos. That 165 pounds for you Americans still in the 18th century. Yes, that is too much, and yes too much of that is the squishy pillow of insulation pushing against my waistband. However according to my handy health check results, my optimal weight is 62.5 kilos. That's 138 pounds. I think the last time I weighed 138 was in elementary school.
Weight=C
Also, my blood pressure was 138/69, which is technically under 139/89 so blood pressure=A
Huh? I am borderline hypertension and I get an A, but I'm 13 kilos -- 29 pounds! -- overweight so that's a C? And what's more, EVERYTHING else is all A's, but that damn C pulls my overall score down to C.
That totally sucks.
Then again, I am a fat bastard. So, perfect timing for 2008 New Year's resolution:
If I lose half kilo a month, by this time next year I will be a lean, mean 69 kilos. I think the last time I was under 70 was the summer after I graduated, before I came to Japan, when I was working construction and subsisting on one burrito a day.
So there it is: lose one half a kilo -- just over one pound -- a month for one year.
Oh and lastly, what the hell does blood type Rh mean?
But this health check in Japan is killing me, seriously.
I weigh 75 kilos. That 165 pounds for you Americans still in the 18th century. Yes, that is too much, and yes too much of that is the squishy pillow of insulation pushing against my waistband. However according to my handy health check results, my optimal weight is 62.5 kilos. That's 138 pounds. I think the last time I weighed 138 was in elementary school.
Weight=C
Also, my blood pressure was 138/69, which is technically under 139/89 so blood pressure=A
Huh? I am borderline hypertension and I get an A, but I'm 13 kilos -- 29 pounds! -- overweight so that's a C? And what's more, EVERYTHING else is all A's, but that damn C pulls my overall score down to C.
That totally sucks.
Then again, I am a fat bastard. So, perfect timing for 2008 New Year's resolution:
If I lose half kilo a month, by this time next year I will be a lean, mean 69 kilos. I think the last time I was under 70 was the summer after I graduated, before I came to Japan, when I was working construction and subsisting on one burrito a day.
So there it is: lose one half a kilo -- just over one pound -- a month for one year.
Oh and lastly, what the hell does blood type Rh mean?
superbad
Finally watched Superbad and it was super good. I'm thinking what Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Breakfast Club were to the 80's, Superbad is to the 00's.
I'm also thinking how I always wanted a wicked set of walkie-talkies when I was a kid, and now every high school kid has a cellphone. How great is that? Techonology IS progress.
I'm also thinking how I always wanted a wicked set of walkie-talkies when I was a kid, and now every high school kid has a cellphone. How great is that? Techonology IS progress.
BBG: Singapore Hedge Fund Mecca Lures Japanese Dismayed by Regulator
The title says it all. A Bloomberg article explains why hedge funds don't set up shop in the world's second-largest economy. In two words: taxes, regulation.
Let's quote:
Let's quote:
"Japanese taxes were four times more and Singapore had a quicker approval process"
"just two weeks to get a license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to operate as an investment manager and...started in two months"
vs.
"waited for six months to get approval from Japan's Financial Services Agency to manage its own funds"
currying favorite
Had one of those rare double-curry days. Went for the veggie curry with nan for lunch, and then tonight after work we all headed to Kenbokke for a celebratory dinner. Prawns brilliant as always, and of course the sag chicken is loverly, too. The place is so small and the waiter was off so I bussed tables in order to keep the chef busy in the kitchen and keep the food coming.
long time no cut
Finally made it to cutting practice, first time in forever. Haven't been to the dojo in over 2 months, thanks to our friends at the Ministry of Finance. Today I took my new sword for a test drive; no complaints. I was kinda rusty but the sword cut like a pro. Good profile, decent weight, ok balance (a bit tip heavy but doable.)
earning my keep
Big day of getting things done. Woke up fairly early, inhaled a bowl of granola and soy milk (no I'm not some crunchy health freak, yes I am a lactard), and disconnected all the av equipment, moved the tv, antique chests, all the books, albums, CDs, and DVDs, and pulled out the shelves. Around 9am Suruga Isho arrived with my new custom TV stand and they constructed it and slotted it in place.
By noon it was done and we had everything put back and wired into place (and working).
In a word: fabulous.
But I had no time to appreciate it, as I had to jet out to zazen without lunch. Got back just before dinner time, hit the dry cleaners, unpacked the new trashbin and a million other packages that arrived and had dinner. Tonchan was feeling considerably better so was in more of a tolerant (and tolerable) mood.
By noon it was done and we had everything put back and wired into place (and working).
In a word: fabulous.
But I had no time to appreciate it, as I had to jet out to zazen without lunch. Got back just before dinner time, hit the dry cleaners, unpacked the new trashbin and a million other packages that arrived and had dinner. Tonchan was feeling considerably better so was in more of a tolerant (and tolerable) mood.
not happy sick girl
not happy sick girl
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Someone has stolen my daughter and replaced her with a crying mass of snot-producing grumpiness. She doesn't really like it when mom isn't holding her, and even then she's not entirely happy. Can't blame her; using a cleverly engineered snot-sucking-tube I've personally removed about 4 kilos of nasal discharge from her head in the past few days (a process which she really does not appreciate as much as she should), and yet the flow seems unending, making it tough for her to breathe well. If I had that much gunk in my skull I'd cry all the time, too.
The good news is that when she's all grown up and we're doing the slide show at her wedding, we will have many, many embarrassing pictures of her as a wee child.
billy barew's
Met up with the old posse at Billy Barew's in Ebisu so for much needed mud slinging trash talk. The late night and smokey bar room atmosphere has done wonders for my cold. Not.
Tonchan continues to have endless snot dripping from her tiny little nose, but I guess the rule is as long as she doesn't have a fever, she's fine and bouncing all over the place!
Also, and totally unrelated, the intercom system in our apartment building seems to have died, and this week we have a number of deliveries arriving, so my cell keeps ringing with delivery guys in the lobby trying to get in touch with P in the apartment. Note to self: from now on put the apartment's home number not my cell phone as the delivery address contact.
Tonchan continues to have endless snot dripping from her tiny little nose, but I guess the rule is as long as she doesn't have a fever, she's fine and bouncing all over the place!
Also, and totally unrelated, the intercom system in our apartment building seems to have died, and this week we have a number of deliveries arriving, so my cell keeps ringing with delivery guys in the lobby trying to get in touch with P in the apartment. Note to self: from now on put the apartment's home number not my cell phone as the delivery address contact.
lunch @ chamate in loft
lunch @ chamate in loft
Originally uploaded by renfield.
In the morning went to the hospital because we've all now got colds. Everyone has a runny nose and Tonchan's started to cough a bit too so we got her checked out and got some medicine to ease the coughing and stuffy nose so maybe she can sleep a bit better.
In the afternoon we walked down to Shibuya and bought some curtains at Loft.
spaghetti lunch
spaghetti lunch
Originally uploaded by renfield.
In the morning we moved the bed into the other room and busted out the new supa-waido futon in the master bedroom. Now we can roll about on the floor without a care!
To celebrate we had a loverly pasta lunch and Tonchan enjoyed stretching and throwing the noodles all over.
michelin
Furthering my assertion that Tokyo is the most awesomest city in the world, the indefatigable frogs have now declared it the Place for the Palette.
The new Michelin guide for Tokyo gives it a whopping 191 stars, leaving Paris with only 65 a far second.
The new Michelin guide for Tokyo gives it a whopping 191 stars, leaving Paris with only 65 a far second.
virgin a5 cow!
virgin a5 cow!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Brilliant teppanyaki dinner at Kisentei in Midtown with the defenders of the free world.
rock garden circle
Yoga Hippie has a video of us making a rock garden circle at the retreat this year.
He has lots of cool videos.
He has lots of cool videos.
honesty
Been thinking recently about the various problems people have with their training. Actually it's not so much a problem with the training, it's actually a problem with all the other stuff; life in general perhaps.
There are a couple of different theories that focus on most of the problems being Gosoke's fault. I agree that Gosoke is at the center of the issues, could even be called the cause or trigger, but he's not the one at fault.
One theory goes like this: Gosoke is too nice. He is too quick to promote people to a rank undeserved and too free to give out responsibility to those who cannot meet the requisite demands.
The other theory is, amusingly, the exact opposite: Gosoke is too harsh. He punishes for the slightest infraction of protocol, allows no second chance, expects perfection.
I tend to think both theories are correct. It comes down to the simple expectation that Gosoke has: he expects you to be honest; to do what you say will do, to be responsible for your words and actions.
I don't think it's possible for anyone to be honest with others without first being honest with himself. This means possibly admitting that you cannot do what is asked of you. It's much more sincere and downright impressive to honestly say you cannot do what is asked of you than to say that you can and then get it done half-assed and late.
A big part of Japanese society is "effort". Trying hard is important, oftentimes regardless of the outcome. You work 14 hours a day every day for 15 years, you deserve a promotion and a fat pension. Never mind how much value you actually added to the company. I remember when I first came to Japan and was amazed at the school graduation ceremony. Students got top awards not for academic achievement but for attendance, for not missing one day of school, never mind how much they actually studied nor how well they scored.
I have a hard time believing this is an old tradition in Japan. Back in the day I imagine you were expected to do what you said, and trying was lovely but if you didn't deliver you were probably told to split your stomach to atone for your failure.
Some people these days seem to think that if they promise to do something, pull three all-nighters in a row and finally deliver half of what they said they would, they somehow deserve praise for such an heroic effort. Gosoke doesn't believe that doing what you say you will do is heroic or even praise-worthy. It's merely expected. And not doing what you say is dishonest. Far better to be honest about doing nothing well than be dishonest about doing something badly.
So Gosoke has no problem with people who want to get rank, take responsibility, and work hard. And the more you say you will do, the more he expects you to actually deliver. Therefore, the farther you have to fall when you cannot deliver. The problem is not that someone didn't deserve that rank or that position, it is that they failed to live up to it.
Gosoke likes to push people out of their comfort zone and demand that they constantly strive to get better and achieve more. People mistake promotion for praise. Gosoke doesn't promote you because he thinks you deserve that rank, he wants to put pressure on you to step up to that rank by forcing you to face the fact that you're not deserving of the rank you have. But alot of people get the order confused; they think that since they are now promoted, they somehow deserve some respect or praise or something. They feel entitled, not under pressure to grow.
There is often this fundamental mismatch between what people expect and what they deserve; how the world is and how they think it is, or how they think it should be.
Amazing how it comes back to the basic zen principle of truth. The name Mugai is taken from the first line of a poem that starts "there is nothing but the one truth."
Being honest with yourself is first recognizing the truth, of yourself and your situation. Your abilities and your limitations, what you can do and what you cannot. If you are honest with yourself then it's easy to be honest with others, and people will recognize your honesty, sincerity, and humility.
There are a couple of different theories that focus on most of the problems being Gosoke's fault. I agree that Gosoke is at the center of the issues, could even be called the cause or trigger, but he's not the one at fault.
One theory goes like this: Gosoke is too nice. He is too quick to promote people to a rank undeserved and too free to give out responsibility to those who cannot meet the requisite demands.
The other theory is, amusingly, the exact opposite: Gosoke is too harsh. He punishes for the slightest infraction of protocol, allows no second chance, expects perfection.
I tend to think both theories are correct. It comes down to the simple expectation that Gosoke has: he expects you to be honest; to do what you say will do, to be responsible for your words and actions.
I don't think it's possible for anyone to be honest with others without first being honest with himself. This means possibly admitting that you cannot do what is asked of you. It's much more sincere and downright impressive to honestly say you cannot do what is asked of you than to say that you can and then get it done half-assed and late.
A big part of Japanese society is "effort". Trying hard is important, oftentimes regardless of the outcome. You work 14 hours a day every day for 15 years, you deserve a promotion and a fat pension. Never mind how much value you actually added to the company. I remember when I first came to Japan and was amazed at the school graduation ceremony. Students got top awards not for academic achievement but for attendance, for not missing one day of school, never mind how much they actually studied nor how well they scored.
I have a hard time believing this is an old tradition in Japan. Back in the day I imagine you were expected to do what you said, and trying was lovely but if you didn't deliver you were probably told to split your stomach to atone for your failure.
Some people these days seem to think that if they promise to do something, pull three all-nighters in a row and finally deliver half of what they said they would, they somehow deserve praise for such an heroic effort. Gosoke doesn't believe that doing what you say you will do is heroic or even praise-worthy. It's merely expected. And not doing what you say is dishonest. Far better to be honest about doing nothing well than be dishonest about doing something badly.
So Gosoke has no problem with people who want to get rank, take responsibility, and work hard. And the more you say you will do, the more he expects you to actually deliver. Therefore, the farther you have to fall when you cannot deliver. The problem is not that someone didn't deserve that rank or that position, it is that they failed to live up to it.
Gosoke likes to push people out of their comfort zone and demand that they constantly strive to get better and achieve more. People mistake promotion for praise. Gosoke doesn't promote you because he thinks you deserve that rank, he wants to put pressure on you to step up to that rank by forcing you to face the fact that you're not deserving of the rank you have. But alot of people get the order confused; they think that since they are now promoted, they somehow deserve some respect or praise or something. They feel entitled, not under pressure to grow.
There is often this fundamental mismatch between what people expect and what they deserve; how the world is and how they think it is, or how they think it should be.
Amazing how it comes back to the basic zen principle of truth. The name Mugai is taken from the first line of a poem that starts "there is nothing but the one truth."
Being honest with yourself is first recognizing the truth, of yourself and your situation. Your abilities and your limitations, what you can do and what you cannot. If you are honest with yourself then it's easy to be honest with others, and people will recognize your honesty, sincerity, and humility.
more photos
break @ muji
break @ muji
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Yesterday the rain let up and it wasn't too cold, so we headed to the big Muji in Yurakucho to check out the all-wooden walker for Tonchan and various other bits and bobs. Afterwards went to MOS Burger and Tonchan had a burger and fries. When we came home we sat in front of the TV and zoned out. I guess being overseas so much has really made her American now!
crushed
Had a lovely time at Peter and Jenn's wedding in the Santa Lucia Preserve (photos coming later) and am now back in the grind, getting crushed. Leaving work after midnight, waking up at 4am.
Strangely, I don't feel tired as in sleepy, just exhausted.
Strangely, I don't feel tired as in sleepy, just exhausted.
killy
Things I love about Killy:
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Things I hate about Killy:
It's a stereotypical city of the USA
The Rittenhouse Hotel
Things I hate about Killy:
It's a stereotypical city of the USA
chicago
Weather was actually fairly reasonable in Chicago. Checked into the loverly Ritz Carlton and then immediately headed out to the dojo for some training. Couple of hours and we hit the local Irish pub for dinner.
By then I had a pile of emails from Tokyo and discovered that we are being inspected by the regulators, so was on the phone all night figuring out if I needed to fly back to Tokyo immediately. Final conclusion was that there's no point in coming back early, so I just stayed on email until 3 am, then got up for a reasonably light day of interviews and evening presentation.
After the presentation we had massive killer steaks at Gibson's before heading home.
Now at the airport taking the early morning flight to Killy.
By then I had a pile of emails from Tokyo and discovered that we are being inspected by the regulators, so was on the phone all night figuring out if I needed to fly back to Tokyo immediately. Final conclusion was that there's no point in coming back early, so I just stayed on email until 3 am, then got up for a reasonably light day of interviews and evening presentation.
After the presentation we had massive killer steaks at Gibson's before heading home.
Now at the airport taking the early morning flight to Killy.
el lay
Pretty uneventful flight from SF to LA, but when we got to the Four Seasons it was before noon and our rooms weren't ready yet, so we had to change in the spa and head over to the Bev Wilshire for the lunch presentation.
Good turn out, small presentation room, excellent food. I had two huge plates of salad and steamed vegetables, justifying my over-eating with the fact that it was all reasonably healthful foodstuffs.
Interviews went ok and of course the monster presidential suite at Bev Wilshire does not suck, and they even had wireless. Applause.
Skipped the team dinner and got Korean BBQ with Daboo and N3i. Best meat in LA deep in the heart of K-Town. N3i was dying to get the new Guitar Hero so we went to Best Buy, where they turned the roof parking lot into a rock show (rumor was Slash would be making an appearance) but the store wasn't open. So we went to Daboo's office and played Guitar Hero on the giant projection TV.
That game is SO. MUCH. FUN. As soon as Tonchan is old enough to hold a controller, I must get her a PS2 and we will rock out!
Jak was on a train coming back from San Jose so we couldn' hook up. My bad as originally we were gonna hang out on Sunday but then I changed my flight to Chicago to early Sunday. However all is forgiven because he'll be coming to Japan around new year's so we are totally going to have an enjoyable time of it.
Good turn out, small presentation room, excellent food. I had two huge plates of salad and steamed vegetables, justifying my over-eating with the fact that it was all reasonably healthful foodstuffs.
Interviews went ok and of course the monster presidential suite at Bev Wilshire does not suck, and they even had wireless. Applause.
Skipped the team dinner and got Korean BBQ with Daboo and N3i. Best meat in LA deep in the heart of K-Town. N3i was dying to get the new Guitar Hero so we went to Best Buy, where they turned the roof parking lot into a rock show (rumor was Slash would be making an appearance) but the store wasn't open. So we went to Daboo's office and played Guitar Hero on the giant projection TV.
That game is SO. MUCH. FUN. As soon as Tonchan is old enough to hold a controller, I must get her a PS2 and we will rock out!
Jak was on a train coming back from San Jose so we couldn' hook up. My bad as originally we were gonna hang out on Sunday but then I changed my flight to Chicago to early Sunday. However all is forgiven because he'll be coming to Japan around new year's so we are totally going to have an enjoyable time of it.
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