Todd Moore Takes APAC!

Welcome Riley Patrick!

2008-07-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Good news from Boise, Idaho, today: my dear cousin Tracy gave birth to her 2nd son: Riley Patrick Scherer!

Born 7/4 @ 11:30AM, he was a couple weeks early, but still hit the scales at a whopping 7lbs.9oz.! Riley joins older brother Brady who's first birthday is in two weeks! Yes, Tracy & Jason are now the proud parents of two little ones under a year old!

CONGRATS COUSINS!
(And Good Luck!)

Bondi Beach

2008-07-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

I got up (late) today and decided to figure out and brave Sydney's public transportation. A believer in incentives, I put Bondi Beach at the end of the line such as to treat myself to a literal Day at the Beach!

Had I arrived earlier in the day, I definitely would have taken surf lessons. Instead, however, I watched others try to learn, did some journaling, and just watched the world of Bondi: surfers bobbing, kids building, mostly locals running & sunning and doing things Australians do.

As I sat there, the Coast Walk beckoned and I made my way south from Bondi to Waverly Cemetery. It was quite the little hike -- 3.5km of Pacific Ocean views with bays and beaches just calling my name. I smiled at the entrepreneurship of the sand volleyballers at Tamarama -- lessons! -- and caught the picnicers at Bronte. I also caught a couple of teenagers caught up in the romance of the view. Silly kids.

The cemetery itself was something to see. I almost turned back just before I got there, but am glad I didn't. Again, a believer in rewards, I promised myself gelato if I made it all the way! Having said that, songs from two of the most powerful movies of all time hit my iPod as I made it through: a song from Glory and 'Miserere' from The Mission. Spooky and powerful in their own right, it was doubly so in this setting.

I hiked back to Bondi, found dinner at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed the view and today's paper. I watched twilight rear her stunning head, then bussed back into Sydney.

And yes, I had gelato.
Chocolate.
With chocolate shavings.

Sydney Harbor & Taronga Zoo!

2008-07-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

Avid Reader, I saw it! I caught my first glimpse of the world famous Sydney Opera House this morning. And it was all that it was cracked up to be! Stunning! And interestingly, it, too, was created in 1973! I love that!

I got up early and walked around Cockle Bay Wharf to check out the sights and sounds of Darling Harbor. I then enjoyed the Matilda Explorer -- one of the many harbor water taxis of sorts -- as part of the Zoo Pass to get me to Taronga Zoo. It was quite a site to round Miller Point, zoom under the Harbor Bridge and get my first sneak peak of that which is obstensibly Sydney!

The more I'm here, the more I'm falling in love with this place. Best, it's 100% pedestrian and tourist friendly and the weather -- remember July is the coldest month of the year here -- is stunning! I could definitely live here.

So, I enjoyed a Sydney Harbor tour on the Matilda and ended up at the similarly world famous Taronga Zoo. It was quite the setting! Taronga sits on a hill for the most part and most every vantage within the zoo overlooks Sydney Harbor and downtown. Upon leaving the ferry, I boarded a sky shuttle (read: cable car) and headed to the park's top entrance. From there, one makes their way down and around and catches this amazing place. Lions, tigers and bears were there, of course, but it was crazy to see some of the wacky animals both in *and* out of the cages (the birds here are nutso!).

Favorites, of course, were walking amidst kangaroos and wallabys in the Wild Australia 'walk-about'. I also captured the crazy looking platypus and enjoyed close-up encounters with giraffes and chimps. Best, Avid Reader, I accomplished exactly what I set out to: get my photo with a koala!

Since it was a bit of a slow morning and I was one of the first there, I got to spend about 20 mins chatting with the two zoo workers who were manning the Koala Encounter area. This one was Archie. Granted, he slept the entire time, but it was a hoot altogether. More, one of the zoo employees had a baby roo in her shirt! Turns out, it's mum was hit & killed by a car earlier that morning, so she was called to pick up the baby and bring it to the zoo. Turns out, it was a boy and they don't need any more male kangaroos, so it was being sent to a rehab facility to try to nurture to release back into the wild. But quite a story and I got to see a seriously baby joey!

I also enjoyed the elephants, parciularly when they started playing. Later, I found out that they weren't playing at all. Turns out the young bull was frisky. Avid Reader, I warn you know... don't click here if you don't want to know what I'm talking about. The meerkats were a hoot -- and all of the kiddos calling them "Timone" from 'The Lion King'. They spent their time trying to soak up as much sun as possible; though my favorite was the sloucher in the corner... not willing to stand, but still wanting the full sun effect.

I caught the boat again at the end of my Zoo adventure and cruised a bit more around the amazing harbor. The homes on the water were incredible; I'd do anything to be a rightful owner. Our friendly tour guides also pointed out a former Nicole Kidman residence... an apartment she sold a few years ago for $4M. I spent time in Ciruclar Quay enjoying the sites, a walk around the Opera House and more photos, of course!

All in all, an outstanding Sydney Saturday and I'm excited to see more of the sights tomorrow and into next week!

Happy Birthday, USA!

2008-07-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth! Not that I got to celebrate America's independence here in Australia -- what gives anyway?! However, another outstanding day here in Sydney -- this time in the dead of winter for sure: it rained! Curses! Solid day at the office; got a lot done and beat Stephen Dolan at ping pong again.

After, and as advertised, I ventured back to Balmain with Sarah such as to enjoy La Boheme. Before dinner, however, we stopped by Sarah & Johnathan's apartment, then ventured down to Balmain Park such that I could get a glimpse of the Sydney Harbor and its nighttime beauty. And was it ever beautiful. Sydney truly is a stunning city. I got a few shots of the harbor that didn't turn out (see left) and enjoyed a nearby anchor and subsequent photo ops.

Johnathan joined us for a pint at a local pub, then we ventured up the street to La Boheme. Very Czech cuisine despite its French name. Very slow service despite all the servers. Very hilarious "live music"... a gentleman singing to his iPod Nano which had innumerable karaoke hits on it, including hits from Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, and the Bee Gee's!

A low key night altogether, but a good thing as I'm on Day Two -- and Day Two always means my hardest relative to jet lag. I'm pooped. And I have to get ready for a day of adventure tomorrow! So, happy long weekends to you, Avid Reader! Happy Birthday America!

Darling Harbor & Balmain

2008-07-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

G'day Mate! I will have to post the few photos I have later as I've forgotten to bring my USB cord to the office this morning. I wanted to provide a quick update on adventures to date in Sydney all the same, however!

Yesterday was Day One in the Sydney DRIVE/Atlas office. It's in a charming neighborhood -- much like Fremont in Seattle -- in an area that is developing as Sydney's online neck of the woods. It's an open, quiet office here and I'm trying to encourage 80's Friday. It's also now 7/4 here -- so it's up to the two Americans in this office & I to show them our USA Pride! Hot dogs, anyone?!

My days start with a walk across Darling Harbor on Pyrmont Bridge with a stop at a line-free Starbucks. (Starbucks isn't so popular Down Under. In fact, my colleagues celebrated the closing of the Starbucks in their neighborhood as we drove by the abandoned storefront last night.) The office is a charming 15-minute walk from my hotel and affords me the opportunity to take in the beautiful Aussies who are similarly work-bound. Interestingly, Avid Reader, it's the dead of winter here... so heavy winter coats and scarves are seemingly the norm. Friend, it's 50 degrees in the morning -- heaven to me!

After work, I ventured to Balmain, a working class suburb of Sydney now becoming a bit of a hot spot, with my DRIVE AU colleagues Stephen Dolan and Sarah Ward. We enjoyed several rounds at The London Hotel and dinner after with Sarah's boyfriend Johnathan at Pomegranate Thai.

My evening plans include another night out with Sarah & her posse in Balmain at La Boheme. I'm also in the process of planning my weekend tourist adventures such that I have fun stories and photos to post in the coming days!

Aight, I must start my work day now... granted, it's the fourth of July, and I should be celebrating America's independence, but instead I shall continue to coordinate DRIVE in Japan and work on instilling 80's Friday in Sydney! WOOT!

Australia is far away

2008-07-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

And made even further with 14 hour delays in San Francisco!

Indeed, Avid Reader, I arrived in San Francisco to change planes after what was supposed to be a 2.5 hour layover at SFO. To my surprise, the flight was postponed from 10:40PM to 8:30AM Tuesday morning. But, Todd, you ask, that doesn’t add up to 14 hours! I agree!

Qantas gracefully put passengers on New Zealand Air or United flights as they checked in at SFO. Sadly, I didn’t get there in time to secure an empty seat so instead was put up in a nearby hotel for the night. My alarm went off at 5:30AM this morning such as to make the shuttle back to the airport and endure International Security. As I got up to shower, I noticed a note under my hotel room door. It was my friends from Qantas again, regretfully notifying me that my 8:30AM flight was now scheduled to depart at 12:45PM.

So, a couple more hours sleep, a courtesy breakfast at the hotel and I was off to the airport to brave security and wait again. Turns out the flight didn't BOARD until 1PM and we took off sometime close to 2PM.

It's nearly 11PM here in Sydney on Wednesday night... just before 6AM in Seattle Wednesday morning. Sydney is 15 hours ahead during summer hours and I've seemingly lost two full days with the delays and 13.5 hour flight here. But adventures to come starting tomorrow with my first day in the DRIVE Australia office and in Sydney!

JWBP 2008

2008-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

I just returned from JWBP 2008. Yes, Avid Reader, you may not realize just what JWBP 2008 is, but know the soundtracks will be in stores soon!

I keeeed! I keeeed! I just got back from Whidbey Island and John Weaver's Bachelor Party! Had a great weekend altogether with great guys including John, Jesse Paulson, Matt Weaver, Kirk Barney, Dave Hoadley, and one Mr. Ryan G. Nickols. Small group, but big enough to obliterate the keg of Coors Light we took up with us!

We enjoyed a Guy Weekend altogether, complete with Kubb, Bocce Ball, Screw Your Neighbor and 18 holes at Holmes Harbor Golf Course. Oh, and lots of BBQing and two killer soundtracks -- one for the softer side of our friend JW; one for the side of JW that will kick your @$*!

The wedding is in a mere three weeks -- one that we're all getting excited for. And as of tomorrow, I'm off on another exciting adventure -- this time, two weeks in Sydney, Australia!! I just spent the weekend with some of my favorite blokes on the planet. It was in the high 80's all weekend and so I'm tan. And so I'm happy.

More adventures from APAC to come -- stay tuned!

Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

2008-06-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

I'm just home from an awesome weekend in San Jose with my friend Charles Newton to see our friend Tim Grieb. Should you not know Tim Grieb, Avid Reader, he's the kind of person I've always considered myself lucky to call my friend.

Tim underwent his second open-heart surgery 5/28 -- this time for a complete aorta replacement. This weekend was a chance to get to see Tim three-weeks out of surgery and just to hang out. The weekend was a 10 altogether!

Charles and I arrived to 100+ degree temperatures Friday night that didn't let up until Sunday morning. In the meantime, however, we enjoyed walks through air-conditioned malls, drives in our air-conditioned convertible (too hot to put the top down!), and states of not moving in front of the television. We also got to go to Tim's brother's final regular season Arena Football game. With the game (which the SaberCats won), we were treated to The Real World: Grieb-style.

With the temperatures dropping to the mid-90s, we took the top down afterall, and ventured to the SaberCats Fan Fest for season ticket holders. We were treated to some awesome BBQ, time with the SaberKittens, and a one-mile therapy walk around the nearby track. In addition, we hijacked Tim's Dad Rich for Guy Night on the town with The Incredible Hulk. Rich nearly got his butt whipped by the Kung-Fu Panda, but the three of us youngins interceded.

Today, the three of us ran errands and hiked a trail nearby Tim's house -- one that he grew up mountain biking. YES! We hiked! It was a short one altogether, but an additional treat along with seeing where he grew up, hearing the echoes of the stories in the Grieb home, and seeing Tim doing SO well altogether!

From recollecting old stories to watching 'Entourage' to talking new music (OK, less me than them, but I was still there afterall!), it was just the weekend needed with my dear friend Tim. I have been following his blog religiously... and emotionally... since its first post.

Life seemed as it should be for the weekend. No, that's a lie. Avid Reader, life seemed precious. And Tim a treasure. As he has been to me since that day I was lucky enough to meet him.

I love you, Tim Grieb.

GONPACHI & ICE BAR

2008-06-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

My last night in Tokyo was a SUPER one! First, we enjoyed GONPACHI -- a local favorite turned tourist magnet as the restaurant inspired the Crazy 8s fight scene setting in Kill Bill.

I had wanted to get to this yakitori and "Japanese Dish" restaurant since I've started coming to Tokyo... and it happened! We enjoyed a smorgasbord of Japanese dishes as well as a fount of biru and sake and had a great time altogether. Ryan also had his first opportunity to enjoy foie gras of all things!

After, we made our way to ICE BAR, an ABSOLUT blast of a bar made completely of ice! Given that the temperature in the room is -5 degrees Celsius, we could only be in the bar for 45 minutes, but the parkas kept us warm throughout our adventure!

We tried to hit another bar close to ICE BAR after with June and Mari, but were told it was a 5,000 Yen cover charge for the gents. Avid Reader, they wanted $50 for us to sit in an empty bar. SHIN-GE-LA-DA-NIGH! Of course, we went next door and were welcomed with open arms by The Captain -- ever my faithful friend in spite of country!

So, Tokyo Trip Three concludes as a roaring success. I'm sitting in the airport lounge now, having just heard the boarding announcement for my flight. I will wake up in Seattle, then head to San Jose for the weekend! Good times and more travel adventures to come (though not in APAC in the short term)! Thanks for joining me, Avid Reader! Here's to you:

PRINT CLUB!

2008-06-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

Meagan, I did it! PRINT CLUB! Yes, indeed, I can now officially say I braved that which every 12-16 year old Japanese girl -- and boy -- enjoys in Tokyo: PRINT CLUB!

After a long day of work (9-7:30), Ryan, Stephen and I ventured to his hotel in Ebisu where we enjoyed drinks and sushi dinner. After which, Ryan and I cabbed to Shibuya such that he could see the craziest intersection in the world. Sadly, it wasn't as crazy at 11PM as it was that crazy weekend in May. However, it was still crazy -- and better, we were able to hit a few of the open stores, including a number of arcades with PRINT CLUB. Or Jewella, as the one we were in was called!

Of course, after we took the photos, we waited around for 10 minutes for the photos to come out before we realized (and when I say we realized, I asked a non-english speaking teen what to do and we then played charades for every step of the process)that we were supposed to step into a different booth to customize out prints with fun pens and crazy messages!

I'm not going to lie, Avid Reader, I may just be hooked! Ryan and I then found several other Print Club establishments and had to check them out to see what machines they had! Print Club, I love you so much!

All to familiar...

2008-06-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

Well hello there, Tokyo!

yes, Avid Reader, as promised, I am back in Japan! And although on a completely different floor and a completely different room, this place is all too familiar! And interestingly, it seems like I've already been here for two weeks and it's merely been two hours! Such is the comfort I feel having unpacked, having donned my tiger-stripe yucata, and having reached out to you via the blog.

Adventures to come!

What's To Come...

2008-06-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Avid Reader!

It's been a while since my last post, I realize. I have had a number of adventures, but none so much in Asia. As such, I haven't thought to post on my APAC blog! That will soon change, however, as I'm off to Tokyo yet again for a week (6/14-20). I am travelling with the legacy aQuantive APAC General Manager as well as one of the Advertising Operations Managers from DRIVE US. I have a couple of fun things planned and look forward to having colleagues in Tokyo with whom to create and share adventures!

All this is to say, "MORE TO COME!". Stay tuned for new blog posts (and maybe that bloody Disneyland Tokyo update that I *still* haven't completed!)!

What's that photo, you ask? It's a shot of scenery from Splash Mountain Tokyo!

advance '08

2008-05-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

As part of Microsoft's Strategic Account Summit, senior leaders of online agencies and advertisers descended on Seattle this week to hear updates and to be entertained by Microsoft. We didn't disappoint!

Instead, we hosted a number of Dine-Arounds as well as a private concert with Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds at Seattle's Showbox Theater. I joined a group of colleagues, including Paul McClinton and Lindsey Baker... at the front of the stage!

Disneyland Delay!

2008-05-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Avid Reader, I'm still working on the Disneyland Tokyo posting. My apologies for not having that one updated as yet. There's quite a story to tell; I'm trying to ensure I don't miss a detail.

It's coming along -- I will be sure to provide the news when it's finally ready to publish!

San Juan Saturday

2008-05-18T20:14:00.001-07:00

After arriving home in Seattle at midnight Friday night, I was picked up bright and early Saturday morning at 5:35AM to head up to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. It was Engagement Party Weekend for my dear friends Amy McKenna & John Weaver at Amy's father's home on Dream Lake.

And what a dream it was to be oh so welcomed back to the beautiful NW by an 80 degree day, a ferry ride in one can arguably be on of the most incredible land/seascapes in the world, and dear friends who I'd been longing to see for weeks.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the sun, a hot pancake breakfast, Kubb -- an awesome Swedish lawn bowling/chess/horseshoes game, adult beverages, Amy's extended family, John's family, an oyster/clam/salmon bake, and many old & new friends.

It was an awesome day that saw us race to last Seattle-bound ferry. Jace and I slept like babies on the ride home from an exhaustingly wonderful day. It was the perfect welcome back to the NW altogether.

I'm ho-ome!

London in a Nutshell

2008-05-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

As you may know, Avid Reader, I spent the final five days of my four-week overseas adventure in London. I ultimately went for a conference at the end of the week, but also spent a couple of days in the DRIVE UK/EMEA office. Instead of a play-by-play of adventures there, I thought I'd capture a few...

Brian Hennigan & The Volunteers
I was able to get more time with Brian before he headed to his brother's college gradulation at Tulane in New Orleans. We hit The Volunteer Pub near Regent's Park (and my conference site) for a couple of pints and more time to catch up. Definitely another London highlight... and another awesome sounding band name.

Work Crew
I got to spend some quality time with colleagues from DRIVE US and Australia while there, including Casey (my A-one travel buddy!), Shanthi, Stephen, Sarah and Liam. Interestingly, after having beer with BHennigan @ The Volunteer, then dinner with the work gang, we ended up at The Volunteer again for a "pub experience". And I have to tell you, Avid Reader, I do love a good pub experience!

Harrod's
On Thursday evening, Casey, Shanthi & I ventured to Harrod's for The Harrod's shopping experience. And did I ever! I left the store with a new suitcase with which to consolidate my duffel bag and those goodies I picked up aloing my four-week trip. Turns out, I was given the serious 3rd degree at U.S. Customs... who buys an empty suitcase and returns to country with it full?! Avid Reader, I almost didn't make it through! I'm convinced that the look in my eye of wanting to be on U.S. soil so badly passed me the muster.

Shepherd Market
That night, we also ventured around the neighborhood in order to find dinner and to have a low-key evening. Casey "had a moment" and suggested we walk down an alley. Note that it was dark (as opposed to the daylight of this photo). Upon turning the corner, we happened upon Shepherd Market and a hot spot of pubs and restaurants. We enjoyed cold beer, fish & chips, and making new British friends at The King's Arms, before picking Mayfair Tandoori for Indian. Turns out, our Australian friends just happened to be there as well. We joined them for a final dinner together in London.

Buckingham Palace
With a bit of time before racing to the airport -- and home -- I quickly crossed Green Park to see Buckingham Palace. I thought to myself, "Self, you're so close, why not?". It's not everyday one gets to stroll to Buckingham Palace afterall! Interestingly, there was something happening that morning as horse-drawn carraiges were bringing folks into the palace, dressed to the nines. Yes, at 8AM in the morning; it was brilliant!

That's my trip to London in a nutshell. It was a busy week altogether and a welcome break from having few folks to talk to for the previous three weeks!

Admiral Codrington & the Hennigans

2008-05-12T06:10:00.001-07:00

Sounds like a great band name, right? Well, it is no band, but it was the adventure I got to experience last night!

I arrived in London from Tokyo yesterday afternoon and tubed to the hotel near Green Park. After meeting my colleague Casey at the front desk while I was checking in, we headed to South Kensington and met good friends Brian & Kirsten Hennigan for an outstanding dinner at The Admiral Codrington.

'The Cod' is an awesome Gastro Restaurant Pub with a tradtional English pub up front with an awesome restaurant in back. We sat in the heart of the photo above -- interestingly below a fully open rooftop! Given that yesterday was 80 degrees in London, it was amazing to be sitting "outside" on such a beautiful night.

Speaking of beautiful, we also scored a Celebrity Sighting. Courtesy of suave BHennigan, who quietly said, "Isn't that the actress who played the Star Wars Queen?". While he was thinking of a Natalie Portman role, Keira Knightly was just behind us! And kudos to Brian for thinking they look alike -- I think so too and no one seems to believe me!

Brian Hennigan, no wonder we are friends. That, and that you're a total stud.

Konichiwa Mickey!

2008-05-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Tokyo Disneyland!

I'm full of stories, but empty on energy as I went full-force today in one of the most magical places on earth. More to come!

Sayonara Shinuku!

2008-05-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Avid Reader! I'm enjoying my last night in downtown Tokyo by... packing! I'm about to say farewell to the hotel room I've called home for the past 1.5 weeks. I will miss you, 2025!

It's been a fairly uneventful week as I've tried to embrace a bit of the normal life, pretending I fit in to this amazing city and culture. I enjoyed a couple nights of walking around Shinjuku and various neighborhoods around work. The Microsoft Rich media team was in town Thursday, so I was able to enjoy dinner and dialogue with fellow Seattle-ites.

I will either have an adventure of a lifetime to report tomorrow else I'll be off-blog until I safely land in the UK. Tomorrow, Avid Reader, tomorrow I am off to Disneyland Tokyo!

Sadly, the day calls for rain (and lots of it), but I'm itching for some Disney magic and look forward to a little Japanese Americana!

Viva Ocho de Mayo!

2008-05-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

GDMO Management Trip to Dublin - Jan.2008

Happy Birthday,
Christian Todd DeHart!

Here's to you, friend!

EARTHQUAKE!

2008-05-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

"I felt it!"

For those of you not familiar with the Smart Beep commercial from Spring 1999, this is all I could think to myself as I experienced Tokyo's first pretty major earthquake (6.8) in many years.

I was sleeping and soon felt like I was on a waterbed. I felt the one after as well as I was stupdily nervous (and a light sleeper). All is well, however. Like the crows taking over the city, the Japanese are all back on their feet and the world is moving on!

More on this morning's earthquake here.

Ironic

2008-05-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

Today is a national holiday here in Japan; I'm working.

It's the first day since I've been in Japan that I can actually see sunshine on the ground; I'm indoors.

I looked out my window this morning to see Mt.Fuji! I raced outside for breakfast and to let housekeeping make up the room; I couldn't see it from any vantage point on my walk. By the time I got back to the hotel room, she was gone, lost in the smog that has returned to Tokyo. I've re-enacted my view this morning, for your pleasure.

I sat in the coffee shop this morning longing for the same experience in a non-smoking environment; I saw this sign on the street not 30' from the cafe.

Generally, Japan is not a tipping culture; you get some of the best service ever.

Monday, Lazy Monday

2008-05-05T01:33:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to take it easy, get some work done, and enjoy the sights & sounds of my neighborhood, Shinjuku.

First, I discovered my home away from home, Starbucks, and enjoyed an iced deliciousness, read the paper and some of my book. A typical start to a lazy day, it very much reminded me of early Sunday mornings in NYC.

From there, I walked through the small shops in Shinjuku to see the life on the 'other side of the street' (I'm staying closer to government buildings & hotels).Before heading back to the hotel to work, I decided to venture through Shinjuku Central Park -- the park I overlook from my hotel room. It was a melting pot of people, from the old & bored, to dog-walkers, to homeless, to young families enjoying the play areas, to skaters enjoying open paved space.

My favorite experience was catching this amazing footballer practice his skills while students of some kind of traditional instrument were practicing right behind him at the same time. It was a perfect encapsulation of the Tokyo soul: a combination of young & old, hip & traditional. Here's to you, Japan...

Sunday, Crazy Sunday

2008-05-04T05:14:00.001-07:00

What a day! Today was a great Sunday in Tokyo -- first having met my former work colleague from NYC, Natasha and her friend Jessica (LA) for a day of tourist adventures in the city.

We met at the famed Tokyo station in the heart of Tokyo and enjoyed a walk through and around the Imperial Palace Gardens. Similar to NYC's Central Park and Belvedere Castle, but perhaps even more stunningly beautiful with the most scenic vistas imaginable. (Side note: Tokyo is all about being clean... but interestingly, there are no garbage cans. I swear to you I carried my empty iced mocha cup for hours today!)

After enjoying the grounds, we hopped the subway to Harajuku where we enjoyed Meiji Jingū, a reconstructed shrine originally dating to 1921. Interestingly, as with many shrines I've seen, they've had to undergo reconstruction after being devastated as part of the Tokyo air raids during WWII. It was a stunning and ironically peaceful world altogether. Fun, I read up on temple rituals and properly cleansed my hands and mouth before entering. Awesome, we purchased prayer votives and wrote personal prayers for friends & loved ones.

We also enjoyed the scene around the famous Harajuku girls at the intersection of teen angst and fashion. It was quite the scene really, with gawkers and photographers from around the world here to capture the look. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy being Harajuku myself, but who doesn't love the 1/2 goth, 1/2 baby doll look?

We strolled Harajuku street and did quite a bit of shopping; we finally ended up in Shibuya where we saw what folks imagine when they think of Japan -- masses of people and technology. I wish I could describe what we saw -- literally thousands of people standing at the craziest intersection you've ever seen. And when it was time for folks to walk, it was as if the floodgates of people were opened on the world. Thousands of people swarmed the entire area, seemlingly out of nowhere. Sadly, it wasn't as busy later in the evening when I tried to capture a video of the scene, but it was something nonetheless.

After a return to our respective hotels and a lower back break, I met Natasha and Jessica in Roppongi at Tsukiji Sushiko for sushi dinner (at 11:30PM, I might add!). We tried to take in IceBar, but it had closed early -- it was Sunday night afterall -- and we instead settled on affiliated & low-key substitute, Bar Keystone where The Captain showed up! I love the Captain so much and had been missing my friend since I was last in the U.S.

Sadly, our evening came to a bit of an end as this 30+ dude needed to crash such that I could work today! I wished Tashi & Jess best wishes on their 2-week adventure in Thailand, and cabbed into the sunrise! Overall, a GREAT day/night altogether and AWESOME to have friends in town with whom to share adventures!

2008-05-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Avid Reader -- Happy Weekend!

I started the day on my terms -- something I haven't been able to do in a very long time; it was most enjoyable. I got up late, dabbled in work, did yoga, enjoyed a quick catch up with my friend JP, and decided to leave the confines of my temporary home (Hyatt Regency Tokyo) to embrace the world of Japan and to have an adventure. Brilliant!

After enjoying a "Hotcake Set" at the nearby Royal Host, I hopped the subway to Asakusa (uh-SAW-kuh-saw) "where the spirit of old Edo proudly lives". And did it ever! As recommended in my guidebook, I passively tackled Asakusa with a directionless stroll through the streets and paths and alleys, enjoying the shrines, gardens, koi ponds... and the MAYHEM!

My trip was to focus on Sensō-ji, a 7th century temple founded before Tokyo was Edo, and "before Edo was a glimmer of an idea". To get there, however, I first got to walk through the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon) in which the god of wind and the god of thunder precariously watch over the temple grounds. I say precariously because just beyond was a world unlike anything I've seen! To get to the temple, one has to pass through a labirynth of shops in Nakamise-dōri.

Bustling with energy and noise, it was a shopper's delight. Yes, I shopped. "Self," I said, however. "Onward!" I then arrived at a second gate, Hozomon, with more scary & protective deities and finally made it to the temple compound. Which, Avid Reader, included the 2nd tallest pagoda in Japan (built in the awesome year of 1973 for those keeping track at home of all wonderful things created in 1973). From here, you wouldn't believe the scene. Along with throngs of people, the grounds were filled with food booths as if I were at the county fair! Yakitori, cotton candy, octopus balls, sushi, candies, trinkets & doo-dads... literally everywhere! Oddly, this seemed wholly in the norm and I was just thankful to particicpate as well.

And speaking of participate, I did! I bathed myself in incense smoke, capturing it in the palm of my hand and rubbing it on my head and chest just like the locals. I even donated ~$1 to have a go at my fortune. After long studying others (one smart traveler am I!), I paid my 100Y, shook the silver gizmo out of which appeared a pockey-like stick with a number(? -- I read this as three hashes, a cross, one hash), found my lucky drawer, pulled out and read my fortune. In short, I think I got the shaft. Well, I don't know if I should call it the shaft; rather it implies my luck will come, but as of when I shook the magic box and it revealed my magic fortune, at that moment, I had the least fortune. And like the locals, I tied one on to let the wind blow my wish away (to make it real, of course).

But as luck would have it, I got some amazing shots of all of the action as well as of the tranquility that surrounded the backside of the temple. You wouldn't have even known the masses were throbbing on the other side and throughout the neighborhood based on the shots I took from behind. An amazing place for sure.

I spent hours just walking the neighborhood, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Asakusa. I braved my way into one of the dinky restaurants and was able to order a chicken & egg rice bowl with miso soup and hot green tea for dinner.

With all of the yoga and amazing walking, I'm so-ore altogether. The good kind of sore. Kind of like the pain I feel not to be connected at home, but the good kind of pain knowing I can connect here and see you again soon, Avid Reader!