So, I was in one of my usual cafes the other day (there are a few I frequent, based on a combination of available outdoor seating space and position relative to the angle of the sun and an absence of sun-blocking buildings) – I’d ordered a cappuccino and, as I was waiting for it, I [...]

So, I got in a taxi after the Japan game last night. Usually, coming from Roppongi, I am quite particular about the route (because I don’t want to sit in traffic on Roppongi dori when I could be zipping up Gaien-Nishi and getting home sooner). Anyway, I was listening to my pod and I just [...]

hmmmmm…I’m in danger of this looking too much like a sports blog, so I thought today I’d touch upon Japan Mystery #372 – The Case of the 2 Litre PET Bottles. First, before I delve into the mystery itself, I’ve been living here so long I am accustomed to referring to such bottles as “PET [...]

While the World Cup is dominating all the news here, there is, of course, another Cup happening. I was at home this morning listening to the 5th game of the Stanley Cup finals on internet radio. With Edmonton down 3 games to 1, it could’ve been the last game and the first period sounded really [...]

So, I was in Shinjuku station the other day (I live nearby and pass through all the time) and, as is usually the case at the west exit (one at street level and one on the lower level near the koban), there was a monk ringing his bell. I liked the juxtaposition of the iPod/iTunes [...]

Bear with me – the whole post’s not about last night’s game (10 pm start here in Tokyo), but it does deserve a mention because I spent 2 hours watching it! I decided to give this photo of my tv a nice retro feel because, well, that’s how it felt: memories of the last WC. [...]