Tokyo First Snow

The snowflakes are so large you can nearly hear them hit the ground tonight.

It always makes me happy to this kind of thing--especially over here. I suppose I wouldn't be quite so pleased if I owned a car, but it'll all burn off in the morning anyway.

Makes me a little nostalgic for home, I must say. Time to throw the mock fireplace disc on the DVD player and crack open a couple Capri Suns.

Tokyo First Snow

BBQ in the park under the cherry trees (hanami 2009)

We had our annual bbq hanami party at Koganei Park yesterday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, if a bit chilly, and the flowers were just starting to bloom on the cherry trees. We were a bit early this year, so the trees still need about a week to reach full bloom. However, I prefer the park when it's not quite as crowded. There's more space to pass out drunk (a la the guy in the photo on the left).

We played some Bristol Horseshoes and cooked up several kilos of quality meat. Adam and Sachi brought Ryuma out for what I believe was his first hanami party. Our friends Hiroshi and Kazue brought a magnum of Moet which, I must admit, was a first for me sitting in the middle of the park!

There may be more parties to attend this coming weekend, but we will have to wait and see. If, however, yesterday was my only chance at hanami this spring, then I can live with that. Everyone had a good time yesterday.

BBQ in the park under the cherry trees (hanami 2009)

Snow!

This is what western Tokyo woke up to this morning. Nice nice! I think Hanakoganei got an inch and a half, but it will start raining soon as the temperature rises.

Snow!

Final Sunset of 2007

December 31, 2007 (behind Mt. Fuji). Happy New Year's!!

Final Sunset of 2007

Fall Foliage

The leaves are turning.

This photo was taken at the university where I teach.

I just think it's pretty.

Fall Foliage

Typhoon Number Nine

Decent-sized typhoon headed straight this way!

Update 1:

The typhoon blew through early this morning and is headed for northern Japan at a snail's pace (it's moving slower than most people ride their bicycles).

In the Kanto region (Tokyo plus a small ring of prefectures), 1 person died and at least 34 people were injured due to the heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and wind.

Typhoon Number Nine

Grab Your Board, We're Going to Wakayama!

Wakayama prefecture plans to construct a reef off its coast in order to produce bigger waves.

Bigger waves, incidentally, will lead to an influx of surfers and tourism revenue. The hope is to build a surf destination that can rival Shonan beach.

Grab Your Board, We're Going to Wakayama!

Hanami Season, 2007

Cherry blossoms as seen last Friday afternoon.

Hanami Season, 2007

Happy New Year!

Mt. Fuji as seen from the balcony yesterday evening.

Happy New Year!

New View

After a couple of months of demolition, the noise has finally stopped. Here is what was waiting for us on the other side (I recommend focusing on the background).

New View

Hanami 2006

These are the Cherry Tree blossoms that everyone comes to party under. There are blue and green tarps for miles as people get together with their friends and make merry.

Hanami 2006

Hanami 2006

Another Cherry blossom shot.

Hanami 2006

Flat Stanley Comes to Tokyo!

We received Flat Stanley in the mail from our good friend Dan way over in DC. He stayed a couple nights with us before heading off for the port city of Pusan, South Korea. He was really excited about all of the plum trees lining the bike path from our place to the train station. He chose a good time to visit, because the plum trees ('ume' in Japanese) were in full bloom. We then showed him around town a little bit.

Flat Stanley Comes to Tokyo!

After a big play in the endzone. Adam, Thatcher and Chris.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Joe, Chris, and Alex. Crafting a clever play.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

The play didn't work. Thatcher chuckles after sacking the crap out of Alex. In his defense, Alex (who isn't from America, and therefore didn't grow up on a steady diet of NFL) didn't know that it is perfectly OK to put the QB on his back.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Junko looking to keep Thatcher on first.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Chris Pellegrini and Alex Oke on defense.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Adam, Junko, and Alex. Nice batting stance.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"

Adam is the backstop. Yong-nam heads for first following a line-drive up the middle. Junko reacts as Sachi knocks Alex over on her way to third.

Koganei Park "Sports Festival"