I spent most of the morning running around the Imperial Palace Garden and the Hibya-koen garden. When I started out, I was a little shy about carrying my camera around my neck. Not for security reasons but I hate looking like a tourist. I came to realize that with my camera out or not I was obviously a tourist, so I went with it.
I decided to check out the US Embassy but after searching for it forever, I gave up and hit up an Irish Pub for lunch. I'm still intimidated about the language barrier and the Irish Pub's menu was in English. I bet I was really close to the Embassy and didn't realize it.
After lunch I headed to Shibuya on the subway. The transportation system here seems to be pretty easy. I was able to pretty much figure it out right away as opposed to the first time I was in New York.
As soon has I exited the Shibuya station, all I could see were huge TV screens and people. OMG, people everywhere. I'm sure you've seen a video at some point or another. If I find one, I'll post it up here as well.
After getting lost a hand-full of times and finally finding an ATM that accepts American cards, I headed back to my hotel to chill for a few hours and let my legs take a rest. I can't remember the last time I walked so much.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Finally in Tokyo!
I made it to Tokyo and to my hotel with no problems. I haven't traveled too far from my hotel room since I'm exhausted but I may go out in an hour just because.
My hotel is pretty sweet though. I discovered when I got here that I get free breakfast every morning and free drinks and appetizers in the evening. The downside, I have to pay to use the internet. :( This means I won't be able to post as often as I hoped to but I'm sure I can make it work.
I haven't really made any plans as to what I'm actually going to see tomorrow but figuring out the subway system is at the top of my list. I'll probably spend the morning wandering around just to let it sink all in.
I don't think it has registered that I am on the other side of the world.
My hotel is pretty sweet though. I discovered when I got here that I get free breakfast every morning and free drinks and appetizers in the evening. The downside, I have to pay to use the internet. :( This means I won't be able to post as often as I hoped to but I'm sure I can make it work.
I haven't really made any plans as to what I'm actually going to see tomorrow but figuring out the subway system is at the top of my list. I'll probably spend the morning wandering around just to let it sink all in.
I don't think it has registered that I am on the other side of the world.
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Preview
So I've resurrected my Justifying Procrastination blog in an effort to document my trip to Tokyo. I'm leaving for the airport in about an hour, the nervousness is not subsiding but the excitement is growing exponentially.
I haven't set my expectations too high as to not entice any disappointment, but I have a feeling this trip is going to be super awesome!
I'll be landing at Narita in in about 22 and a half hours. Hopefully I'll be able to post some awesome pictures. I'll mainly shoot 35mm but I'll have my crappy digital on hand to catch some shots as well.
Just so you guys know, Tokyo time is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. It's my intention to update this page daily but you never know.
Wish me luck!!
I haven't set my expectations too high as to not entice any disappointment, but I have a feeling this trip is going to be super awesome!
I'll be landing at Narita in in about 22 and a half hours. Hopefully I'll be able to post some awesome pictures. I'll mainly shoot 35mm but I'll have my crappy digital on hand to catch some shots as well.
Just so you guys know, Tokyo time is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. It's my intention to update this page daily but you never know.
Wish me luck!!
Photo Test
So I've set it up so I can blog photos right from my Flickr account. This pic is one of my favorites so, yeah, here it is.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Thursday, February 02, 2006
did I get hit with the lucky stick?
I didn't think that my week could get any better but it did. Towards the end of a conversation with my boss, he informed me that I will be receiving my 10% bonus! Hell yeah! He then told me that I also got a 10% raise. 10%? Good thing I wasn't driving when I found out.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
B-Day What??
I got a birthday card today!! For most people that wouldn't be anything un-ordinary, but I don't have an address. Let me start at the beginning.
While I was getting ready for work this morning Shelly called me. I semi-expected she would be the first, but to get five other calls from unexpected people before noon... wow!
I didn't even know that that many people knew it was my birthday. The phone calls didn't stop as the day went on. I feel like the luckiest girl ever. The guy I was working with today figured it out and had the staff at T.G.I. Fridays do the show. Embarassing, I know, but the cheesecake was much appreciated.
I got to my hotel in St. Joseph Missouri and didn't notice the sign until I returned from the bar the first time but, I was the guest of the day.
I asked the nice guy at the front desk if it was because it was my birthday and he wished me a happy one. I went to the bar a second time soon thereafer, why would I sit around half-sober today.
Upon my second return I was surprised by a card (from the hotel staff) under my door wishing me a happy birthday with a Starbuck's gift card. Most people know that I hate Starbuck's but it's the thought.
It has been a fuzzy feeling kind of day. My friends have made it the best. However, I have to say that it is a great feeling that the hotel chain in which I live, however corporate they can be, have made me feel more at home today than I have felt in a long time. THANK YOU!
While I was getting ready for work this morning Shelly called me. I semi-expected she would be the first, but to get five other calls from unexpected people before noon... wow!
I didn't even know that that many people knew it was my birthday. The phone calls didn't stop as the day went on. I feel like the luckiest girl ever. The guy I was working with today figured it out and had the staff at T.G.I. Fridays do the show. Embarassing, I know, but the cheesecake was much appreciated.
I got to my hotel in St. Joseph Missouri and didn't notice the sign until I returned from the bar the first time but, I was the guest of the day.
I asked the nice guy at the front desk if it was because it was my birthday and he wished me a happy one. I went to the bar a second time soon thereafer, why would I sit around half-sober today.
Upon my second return I was surprised by a card (from the hotel staff) under my door wishing me a happy birthday with a Starbuck's gift card. Most people know that I hate Starbuck's but it's the thought.
It has been a fuzzy feeling kind of day. My friends have made it the best. However, I have to say that it is a great feeling that the hotel chain in which I live, however corporate they can be, have made me feel more at home today than I have felt in a long time. THANK YOU!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Hooked on blackjack
I was hoping that I would be able to catch a Modern Red show while in St. Louis but they had nothing scheduled today. Instead I decided to go to the casino to see what I could get myself into.
The guy at the front desk of the hotel warned me that it would mostly be middle-agers but I didn't really care. I busted out the black skirt, fish-nets and the boots, it was on.
After a 15-minute cab ride I was wandering around just staring at all the bright lights. I found a $5 black jack table with an empty seat, which is where I would end up spending the next 4 1/2 hours. It may sound kind of boring but the dealer was cute and very talkative and interesting people kept coming and going. To my surprise, there were people there from all over the country.
I finally left the table when I started feeling kinda drunk and didn't trust that I would stay a winner. Luckily for me I was $200 up at the time. The downside to all the fun is that I will want to do it again, and probably more sooner than later.
The guy at the front desk of the hotel warned me that it would mostly be middle-agers but I didn't really care. I busted out the black skirt, fish-nets and the boots, it was on.
After a 15-minute cab ride I was wandering around just staring at all the bright lights. I found a $5 black jack table with an empty seat, which is where I would end up spending the next 4 1/2 hours. It may sound kind of boring but the dealer was cute and very talkative and interesting people kept coming and going. To my surprise, there were people there from all over the country.
I finally left the table when I started feeling kinda drunk and didn't trust that I would stay a winner. Luckily for me I was $200 up at the time. The downside to all the fun is that I will want to do it again, and probably more sooner than later.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
On the road again
After about a month of not doing much of anything, with the exception of a little manual labor, I'm back in the truck and back in the hotels. I was very sad to leave Chicago today. I was really starting to feel at home there, especially with new friends and new artistic opportunities.
I'm on my way to Dallas with plans to spend Friday (tomorrow) in St. Louis to run around and take pictures all day. I only drove for a couple hours today, one of which was spent in traffic but after rushing around this afternoon trying to get out of the city it was all I could handle.
The only hotel that had rooms available was a Double Tree. It's very nice but its swarmed with college freshmen in town for a special event. I had to step over them hanging out it the hallways on my way to my room. One of them even hid his bottle of cheap champagne to keep from getting in any trouble, I was jealous but I'm actually able to buy it for myself.
They made me feel really old. It doesn't help that my 24th is less than a month away. At least I can say that if I was 19 again there isn't much I would change about the path I've traveled since then.
By the end of this weekend I will be up to state number 30! I'm not sure if I consider that to be an actual accomplishment, it almost doesn't even feel real. Getting the raise I'm up for is probably the only accomplishment I'm worried about right now. Not that money should be the judge but it helps.
I'm on my way to Dallas with plans to spend Friday (tomorrow) in St. Louis to run around and take pictures all day. I only drove for a couple hours today, one of which was spent in traffic but after rushing around this afternoon trying to get out of the city it was all I could handle.
The only hotel that had rooms available was a Double Tree. It's very nice but its swarmed with college freshmen in town for a special event. I had to step over them hanging out it the hallways on my way to my room. One of them even hid his bottle of cheap champagne to keep from getting in any trouble, I was jealous but I'm actually able to buy it for myself.
They made me feel really old. It doesn't help that my 24th is less than a month away. At least I can say that if I was 19 again there isn't much I would change about the path I've traveled since then.
By the end of this weekend I will be up to state number 30! I'm not sure if I consider that to be an actual accomplishment, it almost doesn't even feel real. Getting the raise I'm up for is probably the only accomplishment I'm worried about right now. Not that money should be the judge but it helps.
Monday, January 09, 2006
just another sunday
After another great morning of sleeping-in, I got a burst of motivation grabbed my gear and hit the streets. I had to make up for Saturday with dead batteries in my camera. I stopped at H&M to return some pants that made me look fat and hit sears for a fresh power source for my Nikon N75.
I always feel a little self-conscious when I'm running around taking pictures, almost afraid that I will come off as another tourist but I got over it. I had two hours to get in a couple rolls before I had to be somewhere to watch the Bengals - Steelers game.
I decided to travel in the direction of wicker park since I have not been there so-far during this stint in Chicago. I ended up in an artsy self-proclaimed urban bar with a menu no different than any onther bar in Chicago. I don't even think they offered vegetarian options other than fried cheese sticks and salads.
I was not worried about watching the game alone but I welcomed company. I ended up sitting next to a professional photographier with whom I shared much converation centered mostly around our artistic preferences.
The game went horribly, Palmer was out of the game before the end of the first quarter and even though Kitna was doing OK, it wasn't Carson. By the end of the game I was so drunk that I didn't really care.
The most exciting part of the evening was getiing my picture taken and being invited back to spend a day with my photographier friend to be a subject in a series. I just hope I can work it into my schedule in the very near future.
I always feel a little self-conscious when I'm running around taking pictures, almost afraid that I will come off as another tourist but I got over it. I had two hours to get in a couple rolls before I had to be somewhere to watch the Bengals - Steelers game.
I decided to travel in the direction of wicker park since I have not been there so-far during this stint in Chicago. I ended up in an artsy self-proclaimed urban bar with a menu no different than any onther bar in Chicago. I don't even think they offered vegetarian options other than fried cheese sticks and salads.
I was not worried about watching the game alone but I welcomed company. I ended up sitting next to a professional photographier with whom I shared much converation centered mostly around our artistic preferences.
The game went horribly, Palmer was out of the game before the end of the first quarter and even though Kitna was doing OK, it wasn't Carson. By the end of the game I was so drunk that I didn't really care.
The most exciting part of the evening was getiing my picture taken and being invited back to spend a day with my photographier friend to be a subject in a series. I just hope I can work it into my schedule in the very near future.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Get out of my dreams
You've been haunting me lately. Every night for the past few weeks you have been there. Are you trying to tell me something? If so I guess I'm not picking up on it. When this started it was almost calming to see you when I sleep. But now it's too much. I've tried falling asleep to music and while watching TV to try to keep you out. It doesn't work. I had a tarot card reading yesterday and I asked her about you. She told me that it's because I am not satisfied with the closure I got. I can agree with that but it's been so long I'm not sure how to fix it.
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