New Zealand Sileni Merlot: Cabernet Franc

Jancis Robinson got us into this one with a little help from Enoteca – extremely easy to drink but with enough leaf and oak to make it happen. Will be exploring the Sileni range more.

Yokohama Beer Festival

Spent Saturday afternoon standing in Osanbashi hall, tasting beer from all over Japan. Unfortunately I can’t quite remember what I had, but a lot of it was a tad medicinal for my tastes. Anyway a great time was had by all:

An excited old lady came up to me and said, I quote, “had a revolution on my tongue in England.”

Tall guy, Bu and D were on TV with glasses in our hands, according to one of my students today !

Here’s a K tai photo of the event:

I wish…

there were loads of really exciting things to write about but no. It seems that starting this blog has revealed that nothing fantastic, preposterous or mildly amusing ever happens. I’m inclined to think that’s a good thing however and we shall continue to wallow in our mire of day to day gloss:

Pu still hasn’t got a job yet

I’m in the process of losing mine

Robbie Williams namechecked Serge Gainsborough(!) in a recent interview (info provided by Zak – thanks).

Blueduck hasn’t written anything for a month

All flights booked-up to Okinawa

Enjoyed downloading and watching Dr Who all weekend

Had a bottle of cheap Tuscany which made me sick all Saturday night

Fed the fish at Sankeien gardens

Ta ra girls

Fantastic send off at Aka-renga for the girls who are off to live in Australia at the end of the week. It was an all-nighter for most involved except Bu who was really tired (really!!!) and had to write his reference list the next day.

We will really miss you two. Can’t believe we didn’t have the chance to get to know each other sooner. See you in Oz next year(or perhaps a little sooner for dinner at the end of the week.)

Bu + Pu xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ikea

Sunday was the new Ikea store in Shin-Yokohama. After walking from the station cos Pu said he knew where it was, getting lost and then finding it, we realised that we were sharing the honour of doing so with about a million others! Queued for stodgy meatballs and potatoes that looked oh so delicious on the menu board and then went shopping. Slight anxiety attacks from the crowds aside, we managed to come away with loads of cheap candles and a re-usable bag. Never again…

Muddy’s

Here we are at last night’s extravaganza. Pu took the photo when drunk so that’s why…

Thanks to all who came and hope to see you at the next one.

Bu x

High School girls

I love them!

Muddies gig

To all Yokohama/Tokyo readers.

Playing at a bar called Muddies this Saturday. Meeting at Okurayama station (Toyoko line) at 7:45.

Hope at least a few of you can make it!

A muddled segue into something unclear

Beginning to feel mixed emotions; I have just finished my diss. (save a little tweaking here and there) so there is relief but also that of trepidation – like what am I supposed to do now? Pretty sure a career in academia is not for me, don’t really like teaching at uni and not driven enough to become the next big thing in prog-shamisen or jazz bass playing. Perhaps a change of scenery is needed? Where’s good to emigrate to?