you don"t need to save the crystal for a special day, even water tastes better in a "Fancy Glass"

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Huit; Wonderful Little Joint in My Neighborhood


One of my favorite neighborhood spots is a little french place called Huit. I love their 3 cheese plate, and the great pate' (above) it's a great homemade place- warm decor, fresh baked bread, and the staff knows us know so we get a good table and great service. YUM.

They have some great 1000 yen lunch sets too- with bread and tasty iced-tea.

This is a wonderful place to have a simple dinner, or to relax in the afternoon- with my e-mobile wi-fi device I can even hang out there and work on my laptop. It is quite cozy. The owners have also eshewed fancy interior design and done a real DIY deal on the place. Handmade wooden shelving, and mix and match tables and chairs add tons of charm. AND it is right along the river on a shady back corner, trees, and flowers... very lovely.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Hanami Picnic


A view of our cheese, crackers, salami and wine under the cherry trees. We had a little impromptu picnic. Quite nice. The streets around my place are still jam packed with cherry blossom viewers. We probably have about a week left- before the trees go all green and leafy and the blossoms are done for another year.

This year was extraordinary so far, weather wise. Fairly mild, very sunny, not too windy. Ideal for a long extended blossom season. I am off on Friday and hopeful that it will stay nice and I will get another good day to people and blossom watch.

(yes, those are my crocs- and no I don't care that they are not popular any more- they are still comfortable.)

Monday, April 06, 2009

My Neighborhood is Gorgeous Right Now


Spring is really something here in Japan. The cherry blossoms are out in full bloom and since I live in a major blossom viewing area-- I get to really enjoy the blooming-beauty every day.

Probably about 1 week left- before it goes all green.
The pics above are a collage made of 3 days viewing photos.
Click picture to see larger version.

Friday, April 03, 2009

A Taco Moment in Austin


(from sxsw interactive in mid March)

The sun was finally out and meeting what I had expected on the trip. The first four days had been shockingly wet and cold for Austin, but on day 5-- clear skies, bright sun, greens, blues and vibrant colors leaping to life.

We sat down under a newly planted stick-tree that cast just enough shade to make sunglasses unnecessary. The white Styrofoam boxes spread out in front of us contained our "soft-taco lunch sets" and crispy homemade tortilla chips with too small thimble sized plastic cups of green and red salsa. At last, it felt like Texas.

We ate and chatted about all the inspiring seminars we had attended and we watched the youngish technorati walking by talking animatedly about this or that new gadget or concept. The buzz in the air was almost visible- as the twitterers tweeted- and the iphone'rs messaged each other and used their 3G Google maps to locate the best parties that would be packed and loud that night.

It was my first "South by Southwest" Interactive Convention- a mix of old school laid back creativity and high speed overdrive technology. Add sunshine, and Texas tacos and enjoy