Godzilla in Yurakucho

Oh Nooo....

See the new "Chili's" header? I took pictures of the Chili's Restaurant sign in Doha - Arabic on one side and English on the other - and pasted them together for the header. Neat and Texas Cool. Really sets off Godzilla nicely too.

Computer Controlled Massage Chair

When I first came to Japan I thought I had a pretty cool apartment - view of Tokyo Tower, Temple below my balcony, free breakfast on the 42nd floor, etc. but there were obvious things missing. Sure, I had a computerized toilet, thermostatically controlled heated floor, and a bath that turned itself on and off but some of the niceties of life in Japan were missing.

So I have recently taken advantage of my rental allowance and got a massage chair and a home theater system.

I hadn't got a chair before because the foot rests weren't quite long enough and to be honest I didn't find the leg part that comfortable. Then I found this one that has a rest that zooms in and out to fit me perfectly. Further, it has little pads that come out and massage the tops as well as the bottoms of your feet. AND, it runs up and down your back before starting to find your shoulders so it can knead them just right. Plus 4 user customized settings, heated pad for back, background music, arm and hand massager, automatic drink dispenser (just kidding), etc.

What good is this without a home theater? Mine was dated - probably at least 3 years old - so I got a new Onkyo which is apparently the Japanese brand to have. Note the four controllers on the table next to me. That's a lot of digital audio horsepower to handle, especially when all the directions and stuff are in Kanji. I finally have the radio and television working again, and will try to get the 3D hologram function working when I have the time.

Have a nice Easter and try not to get caught up in material things.

V=1745

Kamakura

Kita Kamakura

David and I made a cultural trip to Kamakura also. Here is a poem by the 13th century Zen Master Dogen:

In spring - the blossoms,
in summer - the cuckoo,
in autumn - the moon,
in winter - the snow;

All is in the clear and pure,
that's it!

I guess it takes years of reflection and meditation - David said he didn't get it.

V=1665

Shinto Shrine - Kamakura

Zen Garden in the rain - Kamakura

First Sakura of Spring - Kamakura

Ancient Buddha - Kamakura

Yebisu

Yebisu - OK, I admit it, they were at the Beer Museum. Yebisu is my kind of guy too. He has his own beer, likes to fish, is lucky for businesmen, etc. What more can you ask for?

David and Colin Spotted in Tokyo

Roppongi Hills

Shinagawa

Sharks at Tokyo Sea Life Park

Torii Gates at Yebisu Shrine

The last few weeks has been mostly work with visitors on spring break recently. David and room mate Colin seem to be enjoying the visit and both will eat about anything. They are making all the Tokyo hot spots in record time.

Paris, Firenze, and Doha

Two Princes - Prince Andrew of Great Britain talking to the Heir Apparent of Qatar at the "Stone Laying Ceremony" for the project I am working on in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

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A fishing boat known as a Dhow in Doha harbor along the corniche.

A shot from my balcony at the Marriott in Doha

The beach at Massa, Italy

Arc d' Triomphe, Paris - just down the street from my hotel. I also had a very nice meal at the Jules Verne Restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.

I had a good trip but it was really mostly work. I did snap a few pictures - the two above are from my cell phone - I don't think I'm ready to replace my little Canon camera with it yet. The best thing about this trip was the food. Wonderful food in Paris and Italy. I sat about 10 feet from the two princes at the next table at a dinner in Doha one evening. When Prince Andrew walked by I didn't even recognize him although he had a bunch of security with him.