August 30, 2004
August 23, 2004
Yakitori Stand
A new yakitori stand on the street in front of JR Nara station. The guy running it is a real character, and the chow is tasty. Usually open until 5AM on the weekends.
August 20, 2004
August 19, 2004
August 18, 2004
Macha Calpis
Quite possibly the grossest drink I have ever seen. Macha-flavored Calpis (green tea-flavored cultured yogurt drink). Didn't even warrant a taste test.
August 16, 2004
August 09, 2004
P.U.T.S. - Poopin Under The Stairs
This is an excellent example of why not to install a toilet under a staircase. Taken at an unremarkable Korean yakiniku shop in Sannomiya last night.
Practice Throw
Bill warming up for the doubles finals match after an improvised tequila-and-ramune infusion. At this point in the day, his blood alcohol can usually be used as fuel for small methanol engines or as an organic alternative to Drano (insofar as it will melt frogs).
Lapful of Crusoe
My Vaio U3 is the handiest computer I have ever used. Even though it's long out of production, people still approach me with offers and questions all the time. I guess this is my Newton moment. My girlfriend just takes it away from me periodically, as evidenced here.
Under Capacity
Kobe's Port Terminal is a berth for cruise ships from around the world, but it sure didn't seem like it on Sunday. The buildings were deserted except for the darts tournament we came to root for a friend at.
August 05, 2004
Is this Violently Happy?
This huge double rainbow against a gray sky made me feel really strange. I felt a weird obligation to be happy, but it was actually quite gloomy. Maybe this is what it feels like to be Bjork.
August 03, 2004
Ito-En Mugi Cha
This is one of the best commonly available brands of mugi cha (barley tea). When served cold, it has the perfect afterbite that makes this type of tea so addictive. Oh, I photoshopped it a bit with my phone cause the actual label is kinda boring.
Gideon Competition
There are two books you will find in any hotel room in Japan (love hotels excluded): A Gideon's Bible and The Teachings of Buddha. The latter must be the most oft-stolen book in Japan, because every newcomer I see seems to own a copy.
Took a nice early morning stroll and saw this reflection of my hotel on the HAL building, which houses Mode Gakuen, a trendy art school that many people with green hair and body piercings attend.