Instant classic

One of the top ten commercials I've ever seen. Easy.

Smoke and frosting

Birthday cake for Patrick's 23rd. Shout out to the one guy who's as excited for the LOST series finale as I am.

Singing for drinks

After a month off, the "play easy Beatles songs" tour continued Saturday night as Adam and I hit up a small open mic downtown. Not sure they'll let me out with a guitar once I come back to the States, but I'll milk it for what it's worth as long as I'm here.


With A Little Help From My Friends


Come Together

It's coming

Just as the Lost writers are busy unraveling the remaining mysteries on their show (or are they?), Tokushima's biggest head-scratcher looks like it will finally be resolved in the coming month. What could we possibly be getting that just about everyone else in the world already has? How this didn't happen sooner is something I will never be able to comprehend.

Lock n' loll

When I wasn't busy dodging burgers like the one below in Kyushu last week, I was off in Beppu finding the best bar on this side of the Pacific. A short walk from the port, Hit Parade is an intoxicatingly bizarre blend of Japanese and Western culture. 3600 yen (3000 for women) gets you in the door, which is a steal once you see what's inside. Waiting when you get to your table is a bottle of Suntory whiskey and a rockabilly waiter ready to show you to the all-you-can-eat buffet. Throw in several sets of live American 50s music from the house band The Hit Paraders, plus SEVEN HOURS of nomihodai (all you can drink), and you've found a recipe for a great night out in southern Japan.

Accurate delivery of American rock lyrics? Not so much. A fun time anyway? You betcha.


the joint


the grub


the tunes

Tall order

From the hall of all things that don't make sense in Japan, I present to you the Lotteria tower cheese burger:



I found this baby while strolling through Fukuoka in the north of Kyushu, and while the nutritional facts were nowhere to be found on the restaurant's website, I think the picture speaks for itself. That's ten beef patties, ten slices of cheese, and all the ketchup and mustard you can handle. All for the modest price of 990 yen. In fact, if cramming all that inside your mouth still isn't enough for you, you can even add fries and a soft drink for an extra 250 yen.

Another mega meal, courtesy of the land of small people.