tv embedded in bathroom mirror @ charles hotel
Originally uploaded by renfield
bay area
Landed. Checked in. Wireless. Email. Email. Email...Nap.
Burrito with Nolans.
Email. Email. Email.
Asia de Cuba dinner w/Ockners (2+1!)
SLEEP.
Bart. Cal. Email. Bart. Burrito. Email. Email. Email. Sleep.
Breakfast. Email. Email. Email. CalTrain. Email. Email. Email. Stanford. Japanese homework. CalTrain. Email. Email. Email. Burrito. Sleep.
Burrito with Nolans.
Email. Email. Email.
Asia de Cuba dinner w/Ockners (2+1!)
SLEEP.
Bart. Cal. Email. Bart. Burrito. Email. Email. Email. Sleep.
Breakfast. Email. Email. Email. CalTrain. Email. Email. Email. Stanford. Japanese homework. CalTrain. Email. Email. Email. Burrito. Sleep.
security theater
As I prepare to leave on my whirlwind traipse across the great expanse of the global, mainly the part called the USA, during which I will spend two hours getting to and through an airport only to fly in an airplane for half that time, I leave you with this most accurate assessment of the TSA in The Atlantic. I don't actually care all that much about the second amendment, or abortion rights, or the economy, or job security, taxes, education and science funding, the war in Iraq, Coal power, national highway budgets...but the TSA budget is SEVEN BILLION US DOLLARS and it is an utter, total, and complete waste of time and money. All of it. Every. Last. Cent.
acrobatics with P
acrobatics with P
Originally uploaded by renfield
Tonchan practicing her ninja evasion and tumbling techniques.
norcal
North Carolina that is. 36 hours in-country, just enough time to eat shrimp and grits, Krispy Kreme, and brunch, attend Papa's wedding and reception at Duke Gardens, and fly home.
onigiri @ the park
onigiri @ the park
Originally uploaded by renfield
Went to the park for a bit and Ton got hungry so we had an onigiri...and then another one. She ate all the nori off the first one, then all the nori plus all the salmon of the second. And half a bottle of Calpis.
no update
This is not an update.
Markets were insane.
Spent 36 hours in North Carolina.
Markets are still insane.
Markets were insane.
Spent 36 hours in North Carolina.
Markets are still insane.
absolute.carnage.
Nikkei has the biggest single-day fall since '87 and has the worst week ever. In history.
Not unrelated, so did I.
Volatility is just insane these days. The daily battle to manage delta and vega really is a Greek tragedy. It gets bloody, and there are victims. When things go negative, numbers are in red. Nice symbolism.
Not unrelated, so did I.
Volatility is just insane these days. The daily battle to manage delta and vega really is a Greek tragedy. It gets bloody, and there are victims. When things go negative, numbers are in red. Nice symbolism.
meat
Toddy-chan and I did some serious carnivorous damage at Gyukaku in a late-nite dinner bingefest of beef and pork.
I like the idea of being vegetarian, but, and I quote: "Meat tastes good. Porkchops taste good."
And as usual, plenty of late-nite smack talk to go with our fleshfeast.
I like the idea of being vegetarian, but, and I quote: "Meat tastes good. Porkchops taste good."
And as usual, plenty of late-nite smack talk to go with our fleshfeast.
"the usual"
"the usual"
Originally uploaded by renfield
Sunday morning with the Tonchabeast. Took her to the Robot Slide Park and after an hour of running and sliding(video here and here) and almost-2-years-old-ness, she needed sustenance. Started walking and as soon as we got near the 'bucks she points and goes "Ice. ICE. ICE!" Meaning she wants an ice soy chai latte. Up to the counter and she points to the chocolate scones frantically, signing for "eat" and give me the "give me this or I will hate you and grow up to marry a loser just to spite you" look.
She then proceeds to eat half the scone...and all the chocolate chips (video), artfully picking each one out of the encasing scone, crumbs flying everywhere. Every time I reached out to help she batted away my hand with a "No touching!" but then when she had picked all the chocolate out, she signed for more and politely asked "More please." So I'd crumble off a another piece of scone, revealing another vein of chocolate chips for her to mine.
Just as she got bored and was done eating, declaring "Sosama" (she can't quite say "Gochisosama") and trying to stand up out of the high chair, P arrived and I took off to the instructor's seminar.
bsg4. sniffling. in the rain.
Feeling a bit...Hemingwayish.
Still getting over my cold (thanks Tonchan, who is totally and completely fine thanks lovely).
Watched several episodes of BattleStar Galactica 4 until far too late after having a lovely pork chop dinner at Oak Door with TheManDan.
So got not enough sleep.
And it was raining.
Been raining.
Still raining.
Autumn is upon us so I am actually wearing my suits these days. Just cool enough to need to jacket but not cold enough to break out the winter wear. Actually completely lovely weather if it were not for. The. Rain.
Still getting over my cold (thanks Tonchan, who is totally and completely fine thanks lovely).
Watched several episodes of BattleStar Galactica 4 until far too late after having a lovely pork chop dinner at Oak Door with TheManDan.
So got not enough sleep.
And it was raining.
Been raining.
Still raining.
Autumn is upon us so I am actually wearing my suits these days. Just cool enough to need to jacket but not cold enough to break out the winter wear. Actually completely lovely weather if it were not for. The. Rain.
gyokufukai
gyokufukai
Originally uploaded by renfield
Celebrated Gosoke's "kanreki" aka 60th birthday, in proper style on the 7th floor of Mitsukoshi Department Store. Lotsa food, bad speeches (including mine), photos, and beverages.
Afterwards got dinner with Elvis and talked smack as we are wont.
sitting with spiders
stinky
(Note: if you don't have kids and/or don't want to read about my child's bowel movements, skip this post.)
So recently Tonchan's starting to get the concept. She often gets really pissy about putting on her diaper (then again I love running around the aparmtent naked, too...who doesn't?)
When she does her thing in the morning, I or P will sign for diaper change and point at her diaper and say "stinky" and she usually goes "no...no..." until she's totally done and ready to get changed. Then she points at her diaper and goes "stinky."
So this morning she pointed at me as I was going into the toilet and with a big smile screamed "STINKY! POOPING!"
Wife, what are you teaching my child?
money lending license training and exam
money lending license training and exam
Originally uploaded by renfield
I will be here all day...
And I was. Seven hours of pure Money Lending joy. Good news: the last hour we were basically told the answer to every question on the exam. So if you were still awake (a tough call for some) then the test was easy. If I got more than one question wrong it's because the RedBull I chugged a couple hours ago was wearing off.
feed the bear
feed the bear
Originally uploaded by renfield
She likes to copy whatever mom does, including feeding.
fries
fries
Originally uploaded by renfield
Went to Ginza, which was PACKED with people. Three day weekend and the opening of the first H&M in Japan (line around the block, why I have no idea.)
Hit Azabu Tailor to get the cuffs on my shirts adjusted, and ended up ordering a new suit.
Then we chec ed out Muji before walking back to Shinbashi Station. Stopped in at MosBurger for a snack. Tonchan inhaled all the whipped cream off of a pumpkin pudding, calling it "icecream" the whole time.
Then her assault on the french fries began.
Silently she consumed fry after fry, barely stopping to sip ice tea or even breath.
nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Originally uploaded by renfield
Tonchan gives us a preview of what the terrible two's will be like. Here she masters the English word "no" with all it's subtle nuance and overtones.
more cowbell
This is what the internet is meant for:
MP3 + Cowbell + Christopher Walken = Absolute. Magic.
MP3 + Cowbell + Christopher Walken = Absolute. Magic.
| Make your own at MoreCowbell.dj | ||
mizugaeshi
mizugaeshi
Originally uploaded by renfield
My new favorite cut to do from the draw.
This video was from the LA seminars we did a few weeks ago at Senpokan. Good cutting, good times.
roseola
Her Highness the Tonchaness has been one pissy-ass grumpy little punk for a few days. Her fever has gone down though, and now she has a delightful red rash. P took her to the doctor and it turns out she has roseola, a non-serious condition caused by the type-6 herpes virus (not the STD type, thanks.)
Being a virus there's nothing to do but wait. And since her fever's down she should be fine soon.
Good to know that her grumpiness was temporary and not her permanent condition Terrible Twos disposition...we hope...
sunglasses
sunglasses
Originally uploaded by renfield
Attempting to distract her from breaking my sunglasses in half.
ny brekkie
ny brekkie
Originally uploaded by renfield
Got the cheap First Class upgrade on the red-eye SF -> NY so almost got some semblance of sleep...but not really. First order of business after checking in at the Hotel Guzofski was breakfast. Local diner supplied a fine bagel, eggs, hashbrowns, and turkey sausage with perfectly mediocre coffee and expectedly crappy service. Ah, New York.
NL = Nobel prize required
NL = Nobel prize required
Originally uploaded by renfield
I have always loved the fact the best parking spaces in the middle of campus are reserved for Nobel Laureates. And isn't brilliant that Cal has SO MANY NLs -- parking spaces and Nobel Prize recipients.
intermezzo salad
intermezzo salad
Originally uploaded by renfield
With strawberry lemonade: 800 yen.
After a successful chat with some Japanese students at UCLA and some final Mexican food with The Jake, I jetted up to SF and caught Jorge on his way back from San Diego. We cruised back to his place and got some sleep. Following day I got breakfast burritos and Peet's with Jenn and Peter, then headed to Berkeley to talk with some students at my alma mater. Had the above killer salad for lunch. Discussion went well methinks. Then headed back west bay to get some Chinese food and gourmet soy icecream before taking the red-eye to NY.
el chato vatos
el chato vatos
Originally uploaded by renfield
Getting The Best tacos in LA @ El Chato, the Mexican food trailer only open from 8pm to midnight in the parking lot of the car upholstery and sheepskin seat cover specialty shop.
Had the killer Labor Day BBQ at Uncle Larry's with the whole LA/Bev Hills/Hollywood posse after crashing at Daboo & N3i's place after the mad late nite Rock Band session.
photographer tonchan
Ton is absolutely mad for mom's digital camera, and has taken some wicked cool shots.
Check it out:
Check it out:
take a break
take a break
Originally uploaded by renfield
Did some shopping in Harajuku and Shibuya, gathering random toys, bits, and bobs for the kids back in the states as bribes for letting me crash on a loaned couch, driving my carless butt around LA, etc.
Reasonably nice weather; kind of cool (compared to the sweaty scorchers to-date) and misty kind of rain. Here the girls take a wee break as I ran off to buy funny stickers and check out the latest label-free coolness from Muji.
"explosions, overpowering...
...over the competition I am towering..."*
Not really. But when something blows up, things certainly get interesting. Not fun, but interesting.
(In Japanese that'd be tanoshikunai ga omoshiro.)
So on Wednesday, a hand grenade turned into a bunker buster and may end up being the trigger pop to a thermonuclear chain reaction.
Needless to say I did not join my coworkers last night to watch the Chiba Lotte Marines crush the Softbank Hawks from the comfort and privilege of the newly renovated stadium box seats.
I did however learn a whole lot about legal procedures, unsecured debt obligor precedence, and ISDA standards language.
Luckily P and the Tonchabeast are back at the Ibaraki farm homestead hanging chill for summer holiday obon.
I managed to get out of the office at a decent hour, given the weeks events and the fact that it's friday, so I treated myself to some rotator sushi before heading to my regular table at 'bucks for some late-night studying (this month's text is kashikingyomu shuninsha shikaku shiken: money lending business responsible person qualification exam).
* I don't do much karaoke, and even less in English, but when the stars align and I bust my rhyme, suckas go "oooh!" at my meaty groove.**
** Yeah OK that sucked.
Not really. But when something blows up, things certainly get interesting. Not fun, but interesting.
(In Japanese that'd be tanoshikunai ga omoshiro.)
So on Wednesday, a hand grenade turned into a bunker buster and may end up being the trigger pop to a thermonuclear chain reaction.
Needless to say I did not join my coworkers last night to watch the Chiba Lotte Marines crush the Softbank Hawks from the comfort and privilege of the newly renovated stadium box seats.
I did however learn a whole lot about legal procedures, unsecured debt obligor precedence, and ISDA standards language.
Luckily P and the Tonchabeast are back at the Ibaraki farm homestead hanging chill for summer holiday obon.
I managed to get out of the office at a decent hour, given the weeks events and the fact that it's friday, so I treated myself to some rotator sushi before heading to my regular table at 'bucks for some late-night studying (this month's text is kashikingyomu shuninsha shikaku shiken: money lending business responsible person qualification exam).
* I don't do much karaoke, and even less in English, but when the stars align and I bust my rhyme, suckas go "oooh!" at my meaty groove.**
** Yeah OK that sucked.
movies
I rarely see movies but recently I've been on a real bender. Here's what I've inhaled recently.
Indy Jones' Crystal Skull -- a fun romp, well done...but, dude, ALIENS?
Kung-fu Panda -- totally ninjabuttkicking excellent. Will be a favorite of Tonchan's as soon as she's old enough to sit still and watch for more than 7 minutes.
TMNT -- my fault for expecting it to be more than awesome CGI and a plot written for and by a 12 year-old.
Hancock -- a) Like Will Smith, b) LOVE Charlize Theron. A damn fine movie, thanks.
Forbidden Kingdom -- FINALLY Jet Li and Jackie Chan together, with mad wire-work crazy kung-fu ancient China and magic. The annoying white kid was more than outshin'd by my new favorite: OMFG BingBing Li. She is most. excellent. seriously.
Dark Knight -- Yup dark. Joker: excellent. Batman: excellent. Two-Face: excellent. Believe the hype; a blockbuster movie actually worth all the great things said about it.
Oh yeah, did I mention how awesome is BingBing Li?
Indy Jones' Crystal Skull -- a fun romp, well done...but, dude, ALIENS?
Kung-fu Panda -- totally ninjabuttkicking excellent. Will be a favorite of Tonchan's as soon as she's old enough to sit still and watch for more than 7 minutes.
TMNT -- my fault for expecting it to be more than awesome CGI and a plot written for and by a 12 year-old.
Hancock -- a) Like Will Smith, b) LOVE Charlize Theron. A damn fine movie, thanks.
Forbidden Kingdom -- FINALLY Jet Li and Jackie Chan together, with mad wire-work crazy kung-fu ancient China and magic. The annoying white kid was more than outshin'd by my new favorite: OMFG BingBing Li. She is most. excellent. seriously.
Dark Knight -- Yup dark. Joker: excellent. Batman: excellent. Two-Face: excellent. Believe the hype; a blockbuster movie actually worth all the great things said about it.
Oh yeah, did I mention how awesome is BingBing Li?
waterworld
waterworld
Originally uploaded by renfield
Mad fun toys spread out at Roppongi Hills! Check out this amazing water track with boats and pumps and waterlocks and paddles...hours of fun splashing and driving boats around.
slow smooth fast
Can't remember where I first heard it: slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Maybe it's the heat. And summer holidays so no one is around. Or eating too much BBQ.
Only one dude showed up for class, and it was hot and humid something nasty.
The air-con in the dojo was already running, so I just left it on, making temperature a mildly tolerable 32 degrees or so.
I felt like I didn't have much energy, which probably helped. Moved like molasses, barely any energy in my fingers or arms, and I moved...fluidly. Felt really good; smooth, no jutting corners or edges to catch.
Also spent a long time -- nearly an hour -- on just tsukate. How to put the hands on the sword for the initial draw. Bend boths elbows and move both hands at the same time, but of course the left elbow has to bend more to get the hand on the saya, and the right hand has to move faster to cover more distance in a straight line. Making it one smooth movement, keeping everything still but the lower arms, is key. Staying on the centerline is also key.
Now if I could just figure out what to do after that...
Maybe it's the heat. And summer holidays so no one is around. Or eating too much BBQ.
Only one dude showed up for class, and it was hot and humid something nasty.
The air-con in the dojo was already running, so I just left it on, making temperature a mildly tolerable 32 degrees or so.
I felt like I didn't have much energy, which probably helped. Moved like molasses, barely any energy in my fingers or arms, and I moved...fluidly. Felt really good; smooth, no jutting corners or edges to catch.
Also spent a long time -- nearly an hour -- on just tsukate. How to put the hands on the sword for the initial draw. Bend boths elbows and move both hands at the same time, but of course the left elbow has to bend more to get the hand on the saya, and the right hand has to move faster to cover more distance in a straight line. Making it one smooth movement, keeping everything still but the lower arms, is key. Staying on the centerline is also key.
Now if I could just figure out what to do after that...
36th
Birthday celebration started a bit early. It's The Big Boss' birthday on July 31, and we had a sales guy visiting from Hong Kong so went to dinner in Higashi Yama with sales and trading. Figuring The Big Boss and Posse would end up there, we went to Muse in Nishi Azabu (man eaterz night, always fun) and ended up not getting home until 3:30.
So on my birthday morning, just like on any other morning, at 6am Tonchan jabbed her fingers in my nose and shouted "PAPAPAPAPAPAPA!" to wake me up so that I could make her some cheese toast for breakfast.
Then I piled her into the stroller (with spray bottle of course) and we went to summer school.
Had a reasonably productive day at work prepping for London management updates, then sent the summer interns to get 50 chocolate croissants and 120 Krispy Kremes.
Popped over to the pub to say farewell to our soon-to-be new Sydney COO, and then checked out Indy Jones Crystal Skull late show...dude, aliens? Whatever.
So on my birthday morning, just like on any other morning, at 6am Tonchan jabbed her fingers in my nose and shouted "PAPAPAPAPAPAPA!" to wake me up so that I could make her some cheese toast for breakfast.
Then I piled her into the stroller (with spray bottle of course) and we went to summer school.
Had a reasonably productive day at work prepping for London management updates, then sent the summer interns to get 50 chocolate croissants and 120 Krispy Kremes.
Popped over to the pub to say farewell to our soon-to-be new Sydney COO, and then checked out Indy Jones Crystal Skull late show...dude, aliens? Whatever.
spray bottle attack!
spray bottle attack!
Originally uploaded by renfield
Lately the Tonchabeast's favorite accessory has been this lovely spray bottle, filled with water. With a devilish grin she tears around the house moistening everything in sight, particularly me. I think she especially likes the way I jump and flail like a monkey when she sprays me back as I eat breakfast.
She likes this spray bottle so much she carries it with her in the stroller on our way to school. On the train she cleverly eyes the salarymen and OLs standing around her, just waiting for the chance to blast them with a cool and refreshing spray of ice cold water...actually given this summer heat it would probably be a welcome refresher.
votoms robot
votoms robot
Originally uploaded by renfield
Tonchan is getting over a virus and her fever is down, but now P is feeling sick, so Ton went out to give mom a break. She and I were on our walkabout in the Hills when we spied the "150 Anniversary of Steel" festival. Yeah, I don't know what that is either. But it doesn't matter because they had this 5 meter tall robot specially built just for the occasion. Totally. Excellent.
lime green caddie
lime green caddie
Originally uploaded by renfield
Because if you're going to drive a Caddilac, it might as well be LIME. GREEN.
big turkey!
big turkey!
Originally uploaded by renfield
Tried the Big Turkey from a new sandwich shop near the office. Yes, that is in fact alot of turkey.
boxing
Couldn't get to the dojo at lunch, so I signed up for the evening boxing class. Taught by Asia Pacific Cruiser Weight Champion Ryosuke Takahashi. Besides being a really nice guy whom I've met several times via the dojo, he is the fastest big guy I have ever seen. Or maybe he's the biggest fast guy...
egg bacon burger @ baker bounce in midtown
egg bacon burger @ baker bounce in midtown
Originally uploaded by renfield Went over to the Midtown Clinic to get my nose zit checked (diagnosis: confirmed; it is a big nasty nose zit) and then hit Baker Bounce for a soul-replenishing / artery hardening double-egg bacon red-eye (lean patty) burger. With pink lemonade.
sparta weekend
Three-day weekend thanks to Ocean Day, so we went down to a beach town on the coast of Chiba and...trained for three days. We call it the Sparta Gasshuku. Here's the schedule. It certainly was ot fun, but it was well worth it.
Think I pulled my hamstring, though. Thoroughly not a pleasant feeling, but I'll live.
Think I pulled my hamstring, though. Thoroughly not a pleasant feeling, but I'll live.
how many nuggets can you eat?
how many nuggets can you eat?
Originally uploaded by renfield
The challenge: how many chicken nuggets can you eat in 15 minutes?
The answer: OMFG that is disgusting.
Sent the intern out to get some nuggets. 500 of them.
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