I have written a bit about ramen in this blog. i have also been pretty critical of the ramen I have eaten. I’ve kvetched about New School Ramen, made mention of places that aspire to greatness and dropped some commentary about what I like best in a ramen shop. What I have not done is …
I stumbled upon Big Tiger’s by accident. I passed it a few times while riding bikes and thought it was a Cafe as there was a sign advertising coffee. There were also burlap coffee bags in view. There might as well have been a coffee grinder, a coffee machine and a guy dressed as a …
The weather is changing here in Tokyo. Summer and its oppressive humidity suddenly gave way to windy days, the excitement of a “Super-Typhoon” and brisk nights when you suddenly realize that it is dark at 6pm. It is a pleasure for me because I love the Fall — I like wearing jackets and having lots …
It has been raining a lot here in Tokyo. Like a lot a lot. Five days straight and doesn’t seem like an end is in sight. In fact the dread Super Typhoon Lan will hit tomorrow. I am not sure that this is normal, but it feels an awful lot like London or Vancouver. Clothes …
Once upon a time in pre-bike lane Brooklyn, there was a place called Silky’s aka the Back Yard and it was reigned over by a benevolent goddess named Diana. It stayed open all night long Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Heavenly music filled the space and singers and players of instruments, famed throughout the lands, …
If you come to visit Seoul, please do not do what I did and take the subway from Gimpo Airport to the Express Bus Station. it provides for a singularly depressing first view of the city, like something out of Terry Gilliam’s brilliant movie, “Brazil.” Row after row of housing blocks, no people on the …
Living in a city where people don’t steal is pretty great. I realize that sounds fairly obvious but the reality of living in a safe environment takes some time to fully appreciate. I can leave my phone on the table when I go to get a drink in a crowded bar. It is there …
1992 and cracks in the sidewalk were a shimmering rainbow of vial tops and broken auto glass. 4am chocolate cake at Kiev with drag queens eating pierogi, cigarette butts in their sour cream. Only one ATM on 2nd Ave so Friday night 30 minute wait with fifteen skells holding the door begging that one quarter …
Jammers Records is a Tokyo treasure — chock full of serious Jamaican vinyl from early mento to the dancehall hits of now. The owner is Hopeton aka Double H, a Jamaican who has been living in Japan for about 23 years. The last time I was in the store, he was telling me about a …
To do one thing. And do that one thing to absolute perfection. That has always been a dream of mine. Alas, I am undisciplined. A dabbler — good at a few things but expert at none. Fortunately, here in Japan, I get to bask in the glory of folks way more disciplined than me, folks …
