Wow. It's been an incredibly intense and incredibly long two weeks since I arrived here. It's just under one week more until I'm back to the States, as well. I'm a bit frazzled today, so here's what I've been up to in list form:Ueno Park
Shopping at department stores and the Japanese Gap
Shopping at Japanese record stores, every place from Virgin Megastore to little house shops
Checked out an arcade and several video game stores
Fallen in love with Mister Donut (a chain, the best damned glazed donuts ever)
Dined and had all-you-can-drink in Shibuya with JA
Gotten a really shitty cold
Gotten over the shitty cold
Went home on New Year's Eve early due to the shitty cold
Checked out the new year sales in Akihabara (unimpressive)
Had traditional new year food at Rio's house with her family
Lost Sunny's little Mashimaro plush and replaced it with another companion
Shacked from the Apple Store in Ginza, while the guy next to me surfed for porn
Took amazing pictures at the Tokyo International Forum
Dropped my camera at the Tokyo International Forum and destroyed the LCD
Picked up an identical camera the next day in Akihabara for $200 (a Powershot S80 8.0MP, mind you)
Looked around Tokyo Bay and took cool pictures
Went to the Toyota Mega Web and saw the entire Toyota lineup, played GT4 on an amazing setup, rode in a self-driving car, and the historical museum full of classic cars from all makes
Went clubbing in Roppongi, protected girls from shady foreigners, enjoyed late-night ramen, and stayed awake until 6am to make it home on the morning's first train
Got a guided tour of Kabuki-cho (Tokyo's houses of porn/slot machines/strip joints/semi-prostitution places) from JA
Drank scotch (for the first time) at the New York Bar (the Lost in Translation bar)Yeah. It's been a heck of a trip. My last few things are a few souvenirs and the Tokyo Auto Salon on this Saturday. I'll be home Sunday morning, and in Austin late Monday night, unless DFW ices over.
Shopping at department stores and the Japanese Gap
Shopping at Japanese record stores, every place from Virgin Megastore to little house shops
Checked out an arcade and several video game stores
Fallen in love with Mister Donut (a chain, the best damned glazed donuts ever)
Dined and had all-you-can-drink in Shibuya with JA
Gotten a really shitty cold
Gotten over the shitty cold
Went home on New Year's Eve early due to the shitty cold
Checked out the new year sales in Akihabara (unimpressive)
Had traditional new year food at Rio's house with her family
Lost Sunny's little Mashimaro plush and replaced it with another companion
Shacked from the Apple Store in Ginza, while the guy next to me surfed for porn
Took amazing pictures at the Tokyo International Forum
Dropped my camera at the Tokyo International Forum and destroyed the LCD
Picked up an identical camera the next day in Akihabara for $200 (a Powershot S80 8.0MP, mind you)
Looked around Tokyo Bay and took cool pictures
Went to the Toyota Mega Web and saw the entire Toyota lineup, played GT4 on an amazing setup, rode in a self-driving car, and the historical museum full of classic cars from all makes
Went clubbing in Roppongi, protected girls from shady foreigners, enjoyed late-night ramen, and stayed awake until 6am to make it home on the morning's first train
Got a guided tour of Kabuki-cho (Tokyo's houses of porn/slot machines/strip joints/semi-prostitution places) from JA
Drank scotch (for the first time) at the New York Bar (the Lost in Translation bar)Yeah. It's been a heck of a trip. My last few things are a few souvenirs and the Tokyo Auto Salon on this Saturday. I'll be home Sunday morning, and in Austin late Monday night, unless DFW ices over.