Kokochi

Thoralf

This is also a delayed posting. I'm still really slow typing into my phone (unlike my thumb tribe pride when I could type almost without looking at my Japanese AU phone), so zoning out during a party and appearing totally anti-social as I try posting isn't what I like to do.

Anyway, our beloved housemate Thoralf, who was doing an internship at the Oakland Tribune for 2 months, will be leaving and going back to Germany to finish his degree in Journalism. He threw a party and made awesome potato salad. He also presented our Potrero Hill household with a picture frame full of pics he took of us while here. We will greatfully put it up. He's been an awesome housemate and we will sorely miss him.

Pics from Goa Gil

As predicted, I couldn't send pics from the Goa Gil party with no connectivity, so here they are now. It was beautiful to up there. There is something powerful to be surrounded by mountains and trees. The full moon was incredibly bright and I had forgotten how many stars there are. Just magical. Goa Gil, this famous 60 year old (?) wizard -looking master, created music from around 8pm nonstop until...well, I actually don't know since he was still playing when we left around 1pm (next day)!

Being in nature with the music surrounding you and everyone swaying to the beats made it almost beyond music. Like Goa Gil was tapping into the beat of the earth. This was my first time so I can't personally compare to other times, but according to most people there, this time his music was very dark and deep. I agree. I remember really loving it around midnight and feeling totally connected. The music matched everyone's energy and the surrounding nature. But later, it got edgy and seemed to be pushing us into a different space. Toni and I tried sleeping with earplugs but felt the music (which was insanely loud) was seeping through the ground, through our sleeping bags, and poking our bodies awake. We finally couldn't bear it and dragged our sleeping bags up the hill into the trees for a less invasive space. The music was still really loud, but at least we got away from the intensity of the party. By morning, things calmed down and everyone was more cheerful.

All I can say is it was a very interesting experience and I definitely wanna go again!

almost there

Stopping for a meal at Lagorio's in Farmington, just before Angel's Camp.

off to Goa Gil

An outdoor party that Dav would never miss except this time since he is at that special Foo Camp thing...So my first time will be w/o him. Going with fellow BM friends. Not sure how much coverage I will have up there so not sure I can post from there... SQUEEZE to my Dav!

just me

Going to see the rerun of Matrix Reloaded. I loved the first but somehow missed the second and really want to see it on the screen. But Dav is away and it's a hard sell to my none busy friends so I'm going solo. Funny that the last time I saw a movie on my own was to see the first Matrix a second time. Since Dav has the car, I am taking the bus which is super late...I miss Tokyo's public transportation...

Joy

Meeting a friend from my Tokyo high school. She has been living in SF for a while and works as a lawyer (= long hours). We've been trying to meet up, and tonight, she took a break from work to catch up...and watch the Yankees game. She's totally into it! Very cool. Unfortunately they lost...and we think it's because we spent too much time talking instead of focusing on the game...and when Joy watches their games, they win.

Ironically, now that I'm finally back, she might move to Tokyo through her law firm. It would be great for her, but what timing! I can't take her to all my favorite bars.

I feel a bit bad since she had to go to work and we had such a good time that we, you know, had a lot of wine : ) I'm really happy though cuz Dav stopped by too so he could meet her. Slowly introducing my high school friends to him.

hotdogs and mochigashi

Rachal and I continue our market research on cafes and Japanese places for our idea of opening a Japanese cafe. I kinda started this thinking I should productively fill my time until I find a *job*, but I'm getting into this pretty seriously. The more I look around, the more I find minor elements of what I want and feel there is a potential market; but my place doesn't exist yet, so it'd be worth opening. I don't wanna gush as if I'm there yet. Finances will be the real puzzle...which I'm beginning to work on now.

Anyway, the fun part is visiting all these places. We went to this funky well-established placed called Benkyo-do. I swear it's an old hotdog/burger joint...formica counter, plastic stools and all. On one wall, however, is the showcase for their homemade mochigashi Japanese desserts. They were fresh and pretty darn good. AND, 75 cents each! We met the guy who makes them right there...just doing his 'ol thing for, ah, a long long time.

But what really tickled me was this fabulous Japanese dessert store housed along with hotdogs. The customers played their roles well too...sitting at the counter with a mug of coffee and the newspaper gossiping about so and so.

Love it!

Housemate dinner

Thoralf has been our housemate for a little over a month. He is a journalist visiting from Germany and is leaving soon. He has done so much. I'll tell more later but we are having dinner together...With Uli too-another German traveling around who has been staying with us too.

found him!

We tried the new 'self check out' system but it sucks. Just doesn't work. Left that after hearing too many 'please wait for assistance' by an automated woman's cheery voice.

lost at home depo

Came with Dav to buy a window shade and stuff so Dav can make a special ramp so my cats can get down from our patio for some exploring. I got some plants but now can't find him...This place is too huge.