advance '08

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!

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

GDMO Management Trip to Dublin - Jan.2008

Happy Birthday,
Christian Todd DeHart!

Here's to you, friend!

EARTHQUAKE!

"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

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

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

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!

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!

Tokyo Trapse

Don't be fooled by the guy under the bridge offering directions! This is what I said to myself as I decided on the way to the subway that I would save Microsoft the $2.60 subway fare and walk back to my hotel. Uncle Bill loves me!

Indeed, I up and walked from Akasaka to Shinjuku. Having seen the relevant skyscrapers in the distance out of the work office this afternoon, I thought it might take an hour and would be a great way to see the city. I write to you now being both wrong and right. The trapse in total took about 100 minute, but I did weave in & out of an amazing number of alleys, caught some awesome shops and storefronts, saw things you might only see in Japan, and thought of my friend Meagan (not exact, I know, but I was dying all the same!).

It's now officially the weekend -- WOO HOO! I've got lots of work to do, but a good planner always knows when to balance work and adventure! Here we go...!

A Day in the Life.

I've decided to slow things down. After retiring somewhat early my last night in Seoul and after crashing HARD last night back here in Tokyo at 9PM, I've realized that the hermit in me is slowly gnashing his teeth. As such, I don't many adventures to report over the course of the past two days, but feel I need to connect all the same... if not for your sake, Avid Reader, then for my own.

Today was a busy work day, starting with an early AM conference call, and with more meetings and several fires to extinguish throughout the day. I enjoyed lunch with my colleague June Morishita at a little Italian place in Akasaka, the amazing neighborhood near our office. I left the office just after 7PM and it was already dark. I'm not quite sure I understand how that works, but it was certainly the dead of night. I tried to see the shrine across the street as my evening adventure, but it was already closed so I made my way to the subway and back to my temp-home in Shinjuku.

Wonderfully, my laundry sent in this morning was wrapped neatly on the bed (so neatly, I feel I want to send stuff away every day now!) or hanging starched in the closet. Not even in NYC did I send my laundry out; this truly was a guilty little pleasure and I'll do it every time now! Who needs four-week packing when you can get neat little bundles of joy delivered to your room?!

With the weekend coming up, more adventures loom. In the meantime, I'm embracing some normalcy as I've got 10 more days in Tokyo! My best to you, Avid Reader!