The Dirty Three

Inspiring…Got to hook up the sanshin to some effect pedals and do the same. Thanks for the comment Pu. still can’t hear anything 24 hours later…

after work

It’s been a while really to be back here. Last night we went to see an Australian band called “dirty three” in Shibuya after work. Managed to get tickets by pu after Bu’s disappointment missing the same band’s live day before yesterday. I barely knew about them through Bu that one of them is a part member of The bad seeds known as Nick Cave’s back band. Bu downloaded one song of them to my ipod ages ago and I remembered i liked that. Here they were after boring and sleepy starter bands they really waked me up! Very aggressive and extremely loud. Warren Ellis was a very funny and crazy guy and we enjoyed their performance. Pu

Dorrien Estate Chardonnay

It’s summer. The white is uncorked and the golden buttery goodness of this particular chardonnay was enjoyed with a creamy curry. Dorrien Estate are a boutique winemaking facility and their own label is suggested to be the best of the wine they are responsible for producing – well thats what it says on the website anyway…Great wine though – have ordered a selection and if tonight’s cab/merlot mix(more later) is anything to go by I shall be on to Village cellars for more.

Off to a Dirty Three gig tomorrow and C from Munich will be chancing by at the weekend. Still awaiting Pu’s epistle – give him some encouragement why dont you!?

New Sanshin

Finally I have taken the plunge and bought a sanshin! Since I haven't practiced for the last couple of months though it seems I've forgotten how to play it. Sorry about the pajamas.

 

Unto us a tomato is born(and eaten)

…and it was delicious. Others are still green and there are a lot of greedy crows eyeing them.

Here it is flanked by iced latte.

Bourgogne – Vosne Romane

The gaps between posts are just getting longer and longer! Have had a busy week with my Turkish tutor over from Aston and workshops galore over the weekend. And the footballs still on.

We did have time last week, however, to splash out at our favourite wine bar/restaurant, L'incense in Yokohama and quaffed a rather expensive Vosne Romanee. Classic Pinot with all the fruit you'd expect but with a touch of spice. Gotta explore those Bourgogne wines more…

Bu 

ps. don't give up on this blog as we will try to put something on weekly at least (although wild horses and Pu to the post section of this blog ring recently familiar – not that I can talk).

If its summer it must be cold udon

Sultry day today so with I round for dinner, Shikoku udon in hand, we enjoyed a blissful evening where football was only mentioned for less than a minute.

Talking of which, all morning commuters can be heard commiserating with Japan’s dreadful performance and at least 10 minutes of each lesson is spent deliberating whether Zico should have sent on more substitutes for some last minute goal scoring, like Australia. 
Noticed in the commentary of the match lots of 日本ピンチ！(Japan pinch) which sounds like some kind of ropeplay but is in fact when Japan is in a tight spot and goals are about to be scored if they are not careful.

Enough football, I haven’t got the first idea… back to wine soon once we’ve drunk some.

Barium and blocked toilets

Dissertation time is looming so that's why I've been a bit slack at keeping up with the page. Thanks for all recent comments, esp. Jiji and Baba. 

Had my first experience of drinking barium yesterday and as of yet it is still inside me despite the pills I was given. Amazing machine they put you on though – the poor doctor had to keep exiting from his little booth to push my body in the right direction cos I couldn't understand what he was saying (really must study Japanese a little more diligently!). 

Went to see little baby J afterwards and although I don't like babies very much he was exceptionally cute – until his nappy was changed – you should have seen Pu's face!

 Spent all morning unblocking the toilet (a casualty of my medical exam yesterday) which reminded me of the time I was employed as a caretaker at Lambeth College. There was a man who worked there called Alan who positively jumped for joy everytime the loos were stuck and would wade in sans rubber gloves while the rest of the team looked like Pu after seeing J's nappy. 

Thought I'd share that with you… Must be indicative of how I'm feeling. Promise you the next post will be about something nice like wine or vegetables or clean babies.

bravo! courgettes

There are a few perfectly lovely yellow blossoms in balcony now and a book says our first harvest follows in 7 to 10days Pu

2005 Bordeaux- an outstanding vintage

Berry Bros. have been sending me lots of their recommended 2005 wines recently, a selection of which I will share with you.

Chateau Beychevelle St Julien

Ormes de Pez

Chateau Talbot

and a link to their vintage chart of which 2005 has been deemed 'outstanding'