Friday 9th February 2001

This past week has been pretty uneventful. I made a trip to Kyoto, somewhere I go quite often, but never really have the time to explore. I really must go for a weekend with Yuki sometime.

I did manage to pick up a nice new gadget last weekend. A digital camera called a "Stick Shot", which is small enough to fit on a keyring.

Probably the biggest news this week is that Scott, the first manager of Mad Mulligan's is back at the helm. That's good news I think, both for him and the pub

On the subject of pubs, "Rick's" was recently sold to the owner of Mad Mulligan's, a Nigerian guy called Gilbert. Yuko, the former manageress, had had enough of the long hours and wanted a change. After a transition period of six months, the new owner will be changing the name, so I'm hoping that he'll give me the sign off the door as a momento. It is, after all, where Yuki and I first met (and, of course, it's my name)!

Monday 12th February 2001

Today is a public holiday in Japan, Foundation of Japan Day. Both Yuki and I are suffering with colds and flu. I have to claim responsibility for her condition, as I had it first.

On Saturday night we went to a dinner party at a Mexican restaurant in Roppongi. It was actually a very thinly veiled attempt to give one of my friends from work, a choice of a few single girls to date. After eating, we went to the empty bar and a few drinks later were dancing salsa like we had a clue. I don't know if there was a "winner" among the girls, but as this is Japan, there will strangely be many more opportunities for such blind dates. I still find it hard to understand how Japanese girls can be so forward about looking for a man. I guess at the same time though, it's a case of "Don't ask, don't get"!

Yesterday, my pockets stuffed with tissues, we went to the hotel to make more of our wedding arrangements. It seemed that every five minutes there was another chance for us to up the cost. We've already decided to pay a fortune for a video of the ceremony, because they don't allow that to be recorded by anyone else. I was, to say the least, a bit surprised when we were told that only forty of the sixty guests invited to the ceremony, would actually be able to fit inside the shrine. I would cancel the whole thing before telling anybody they had to wait outside! Are they crazy? I could probably have my wedding in a cathederal in England for what we're paying. If some people have to stand, then so be it, but my crowd aren't travelling half way around the world just to have a posh lunch with the newlyweds!

Later yesterday we went to Odaiba to the cinema and window shopping. We visited yet another new corner of this fururistic island, Sho Hong kong (or Little Hong Kong, in English), part of the "Decks" complex. Didn't get time to see too much but as usual with things in Odaiba, this place was pretty impressive.

One piece of very bad news this week was the discovery of Lucy Blackman's dismembered body. Lucy disappeared early last year, apparently to meet a Japanese man she had previously met in a bar where she worked. Japan generally has a very low crime rate, but it is not rare to hear of these vicious crimes. There is something about the Japanese psychie that is difficult to understand. How can they be so very, very courteous normally, but also have such contrasting compatriots. Then again, when I think about it, in England we have our fair (or unfair) share of sadistic "people". Perhaps the world is sick wherever you go, if you look deep enough.

Friday 23rd February 2001

First day back in the office after a trip to the UK and Israel. Thank God it's Friday as I'm a bit jet-lagged.

I flew to England on 15th February for a meeting the following day. That left me the weekend to catch up with some people. Incidentally, the flight path goes right across Siberia and Russia. You really get to appreciate how big the world is when you look down on the vast empty spaces. I'd love to be left alone in the middle of Siberia for a week (with some food and a big coat of course, I'm not stupid).

I've learnt over the last couple of years that it doesn't pay to try to see everybody when I go home on a quick visit. It's much better to see a few people each time, without rushing around too much. This time I caught up with just a few of my friends and my family. It's always nice to spend some time in a British pub where everything is genuine, and you don't get shown to your seat!

On Monday I flew to Tel Aviv. I didn't know what to expect, especially as the UK and USA bombed Baghdad on Friday. I was surpised how relaxed everything was, and at the lack of military personel at the airport. I stayed at a hotel on the beach at Herzeliya, thirty minutes to the north. After a good day's meeting, our hosts took us into Tel Aviv for a Moroccan meal (it seems there isn't much of an indigenous Israeli cuisine). One thing to remember if you travel to Israel is that on departure at the airport you will be questioned for ten to twenty minutes by security. This is not a problem, it is for your safety. If you have nothing to hide, this is just a polite and necessary prodedure.

On checking last week's accumulated post yesterday, I found the results of my level four Japanese language exam. I PASSED!!! Yippeeee! It was worth all the effort! Of course, having swotted for the exam, I am already forgetting things again. I really don't have enough need to speak Japanese to get it to stick in my head permanently. I will have to make a concerted effort to keep at least the majority fresh in my mind. Level three next year? I'll probably give it a go.