Shinnenkai 新年会

In Japan just after new years, most people have what is called a shinnennkai (New Years Gathering) Today I participated in one of many to come. Basically its a time to ask for everyone's cooperation for the coming year, and great excuse to grub and drink.

Shinnenkai 新年会

Went out for dinner and drinks with a guy I work with here in Tokyo. We always go grab something grubbin to eat, and then its off to finish it off with Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Karaoke

Check out the lyrics, "Don't you want me baby" Ha haaa, I wounder who Dumz is signing that to

Went out to sing at a Karaoke-room in Shinbashi. Had already a fair intake of alcohol for the evening, but decided to meet up with everyone for another round. Was soo faded, I don't remember half the evening, but it was fun just getting stupid with everyone.

Tokyo Autosalon

This 12 cylinder twin turbo Supra was kinda cool.

Went to check out the Tokyo Autosalon. Same old same old for me. Nuthin new, and just a whole bunch of the same stuff.

Albertos

I'm not gonna make a claim as it being the best Mexican food, but it comes pretty close. I for some reason always crave a Carne Asada burrito from Albertos. I think this chain was originally started down in San Diego, and has gradually grown in Southern Cali. Since then the restaurant names have changed/converted probably due to franchise rights into names such as Alertos, Albertacos, etc. If you ever get a chance, you gotta try them out. Its sooo grubbin. Can't get this kinda mexican food in Japan. Gosh I wish someone would open one up in Tokyo. Might be difficult though, can't replicate the flavor with Kobe beef. Hmm....Kobe Asada might be kinda good. But it just isn't the same without the cheap steak available in the US.

Islands

Headed to Islands for lunch today. Probably one of the better hamburger joints around. Was pretty grubbin. My recommendation the Maui(guacamole and cheese) with bacon and a order of cheeze fries with Ranch

Shin Ramen

One of my favorite cup-o-noodles. Just spicey enough to be right. Ready in 3 minutes, wow what a deal!

Out with Old Friends

I went out with Kevin and Roger the other night. Haven't seen Roger probably from college, and haven't seen Kevin in over 3 years. Was good to catch up with old friends. Here is us getting totally plastered! Don't ask me why she's wearing a helmet. Had something to do with after drink activities of some sort.

Dave and Busters

Went to Dave and Busters today. Its been almost 3 years since I've been there, so thought it would be good to go have a few drinks and play those lame games that they have there. What sucked was most of the games were out of order, or broken. Guess the place has gotten run down over the years. On top of that we went there with a few people from Japan, and they wouldn't accept a passport as a form of ID, so they were allowed drinks. Geez...

Yard House

Went to the Yard House for grubbin and drinkin. This place has a HUGE selection of beers on tap. Guess is a beer drinkers paradise. The food aint bad either.

New Years Eve

This year, New Years eve was at Toshi's again. We put together a Prime-rib dinner with all the fixins... Cream corn, spinach, is this Laurey's? Noooo Even better!

Dinner at Norio and Ayako's

Takashi and Kenji's kids....

Taka and Chika

Its almost New Years so Norio and Ayako hosted a pre-new years party at their place. Was able to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

Golf at Mesa Verde

Had a double header weekend of golf at Mesa Verde and Shady Canyon! California weather is the greatest!

Kickin it at Toshi's

Arrived in to LA and after some grub and drinks, I headed over to Toshi's place to chill and hang out with Phil who was in town from SF and Asami who flew in from Tokyo as well. Eric and Nate and Chie were there as well.

Bristol

Hmm I wounder what this place is about.....?

New Camera

My old Casio finally died on me so it was time to invest in a new one. Casio's EX-S770 Simple point and shoot camera is about all I can handle. Only good thing is that its slim enough to keep in my pocket and use for instant on and shoot.

Devi Fusion

I went to have lunch with some people from Elpida today at a restaurant in Roppongi that I haven't been to in a while. Devi Fusion (I have no idea why its called that). Its a indian curry restaurant that doesn't have any fusion in it. Its probably as authentic as your gonna get without going to India. Guess the only part thats fusion about it, is that it doesn't have any cheezy Indian decorations and stuff that try and make it up to look like an Indina restaurant. Its just all about the food. I had the 2 curry lunch with Tandori chicken today. Sooo grubbin. Just so happens that a friend owns this restaurant so he hooked us up with a bunch of appetizers. Strange guy, he is a semiconductor broker by day, and runs an Indian restaurant as a hobby. His exact quote," hey Jeff, Japanese people are crazy about curry, I never thought this place would do so well." Lucky guy. He installs a few plasma TVs in the place, and during soccer season there was enough people to come and eat and drink to pay off the TVs in 1 season.

All the ingredients other than vegetables and meats are pretty much brought in from India. All the chefs are from India. He said he provide housing for them in Japan and they come to work for 1 year at a time from India. They make enoug money to live wealthy back in India after 1 year of work, so they are happy, and he's happy cuz he gets authentic chefs cheaper than hiring in Japan. If your ever in the area try them out. It right up the street from the IBM building in Roppongi.

Drinks at AMRTA バー アムリタ

Went to meet up with Moris, Kazu, and friends at Bar AMRTA in Nishi-Azabu. There was an art display event for Moris' friend Kazuko Yamazaki. This bar displays on a monthly basis various artists pieces, so this time was Kazuko's month so we went there to chill and drink for a bit while gazing at her pieces. I've been to this bar before, but don't have very good memories of it cuz I got picked up on by a gay guy the last time I was there.....Yukk!

Ikaho Onsen 伊香保温泉

I went to a place called Ikaho Onsen for a year end golf outing with some people I work with in the industry. Mr. Aizawa, Nakamura, and Yoshida joined in the festivities of good food, onsen and golf. Aizawa set up the trip and his terms were, somewhere not too far from Tokyo, Onsen hotel that has an outdoor bath (Rotenburo)

Food was great, good liquor, after a relaxing bath we changed into Yukata (traditional casual Kimono).