Dotombori!

After we worked for a couple of days, we had a nice drinking party on Thanksgiving. It was great meeting my Facebook friend finally. He is a great guitar player. Everybody got so drunk except me. My drinks didn't have much alcohol. I wanted to go back to the hotel earlier because we had to leave for Osaka this morning. Everybody was too drunk and I really had to say we've got to go unfortunately. We almost missed our train again  Anyway we made it to Osaka!!! 

Cute back packs! 

My first visit to Osaka was at the school trip, but I had never visited Dotombori before. 

We are on the screen! 

We ate at Takohachi. It wasn't modern and not roomy, but it was ok. 

Dotombori yakisoba! I love thick noodles. 

Butatama! I always wanted to eat a real okonomiyaki in a dirty traditional restaurant in Osaka since I read Aishite Naito, a girl comic. 

I was entertained by those big figures,but Ken looked tired. 

This is an okonomiyaki shaped chocolate! 

Bill ken and Ken 

So close to lose

We didn't have Wifi for a couple of days, so I couldn't write how I felt a few days ago. It was so intense that I still remember how much I freaked out. Since we have all-you-can-ride train passes, we went to Tokyo by a bullet train on Sunday to see a concert. Before we got on the train, we bought some food for our breakfast. At that time, I left my jacket at the cashier, but I thought I left it outside of the gated area. Only 10 minutes left before the train departure, I went out the gate and ran through every part we went. I couldn't find it and gave it up. I was so bummed  My jacket can be used as a pillow by folding it into the little bag and It was perfect for my back support. Last minute, a girl from the cashier found me at the platform and delivered my jacket. I was so thankful. I really needed it  

It was a busy day. I saw two of my best friends. First, we saw my friend from high school. She introduced me to her chiropractor. I had an adjustment and a bit better! Then we saw another friend who rocks  to see Earthshaker. I had an Earthshaker cover band when I was in high school, so their music brings me back a lot of good memories. 

It was so crowded. Ken needed drinks otherwise he was totally bored. I went to help him buying drinks many times during the show. Then during the drum solo, I lost my wallet  I usually have a belt porch so that I don't have to worry about losing it. However I couldn't wear my favorite belt porch for this trip due to my back pain. My passport, phone, credit cards, green cards, train passes, and all of my cash as well as all my contact and hotel info were in my wallet. I thought it was stolen and I couldn't imagine how aweful we would have to go through without anything. After freaking out so much, I found it hanging on the door of the restroom  Nothing was stolen. Their restroom's shape is weird and somehow I missed seeing it before I opened the door. Anyway, I was saved to find it  I managed to enjoy the rest of the show. Specially "Radio Magic" was great! They are almost 60 years old, but the singer looked great on the stage 

The show finished around 7pm. It was still early so we went to a drinking place. We left about 8:30pm to catch our reserved 9:30 bullet train from Tokyo. I took a wrong direction of Yamanote line, and I realized we wouldn't be able to catch the train  after seeing how long it takes to get to Tokyo. A lot of thoughts were in my head like we should stay the night in Tokyo etc. We really needed to go back because I had an early appointment next day. Then I realized the train's time was actually 9:36pm. Just in case I decide to try to catch the train. Arriving at Tokyo station at 9:30 and catching a bullet train within 6 minutes was really tough, but we made it! Good thing it was Sunday and less crowded. I freaked out three times that day. What a day!

1960s Hotel

We are here in Japan arrived last night and stayed at a hotel near by the airport. I stayed at this hotel before. I like the hot spring and the price. It is not fancy at all. I chose the Japanese style room because we needed two beds because Ken snores. This room is a crack up. Furnitures are straight from 1960s 

There was a big spider web on the ceiling! The room was cold, but there was no thermometer control. I called the front desk and she said she would bring a portable heater  We just got extra blankets, but the blankets are also so dated  Nowadays blankets are sold so cheap, but they still use probably 1960s Lol. 

The back of the desk, look at all the cords! Ken was cracking up  Then free Wifi didn't work in the room and the front desk lady said they would bring a portable router. After many attempts of setting a router in the back of this desk, it didn't work  We were so tired so we just went to sleep that night. 

The breakfast was good. The hot spring was also good. I was cracking up inside of the hot spring remembering how Ken sat in the room 

The garden is accessible from our room. Look at these weeds  Looked like our yard! 

Our room door was covered by another door  They were fully booked and they couldn't give us another room even after a lot of complaint! I think other rooms were more modern, but the room we stayed was so dated! 

Well it was quite different from Royal Hawaiian Hotel 

On the Beach at Waikiki

Breakfast  We got an ocean front table  But Ken's seat was in the sun. He was sweating and uncomfortable. Buffet didn't look very well, so we ordered one buffet and something else. All I was eating were papayas as usual  We expected great buffet that we ate in Europe. 

Scramble eggs and guava juice were good, but everything else was ugh  I got this much food on the plate (to share with Ken; not supposed to) and the waiter looked at me funny again 

This came with the buffet. It's their Locomoco. Just  beef! No good

Hey! double chin  Otherwise a good picture. Ken is complaining that he has to take too many pictures. He was too hot on his seat so complaining, complaining lol. 

Birds are stealing our food. Doves, too! 

This is the bar we drunk last night. Nice! Nobody is there!

Looks like Ken's mom 

We got complementary muffins at the bakery.

Back to the hotel room. Ken is sleeping. I guess this is the Hawaiian culture  These are the views from the window. The window opens only an inch! 

After we swam in the ocean, we walked around.

Then we ate at Yokocho again. These trees are forming roots hanging from the branches and eventually become trees I think. 

Honolulu and back pain

Finally a vacation time!!! I couldn't afford a direct flight to Japan, so we had to do one stop. If you must stop by somewhere, then of course I chose Hawaii! I came to Waikiki beach about 25 years ago when I was a student. I wanted to stay in this pink hotel so much. One of my bucket list, staying in Royal Hawaiian hotel, is accomplished! I used my credit card points to stay the least expensive room, but I still love it  

I got a lei and Ken got a nut necklace

We got hungry and walked to eat something inexpensive. We found Yokocho underground. Inside is just like Japan  I am sooo happy! We ate at a goldfish restaurant. Food was good! 

While I was eating, I couldn't keep sitting because of my back pain. A few days ago I went through a very narrow space and pushed my backbone to the wrong way. It is already crooked and it enhanced it My regular chiropractor was out of town, so I had his apprentice guy adjust my back. It went worse  It was Saturday, so I couldn't go back to see my chiropractor before this trip. After sitting in the airplane for 6 hours made it worse. I had to come back to hotel room resting and writing this blog. Here is my X-ray. Can you tell that I am having a pain? 

I was wearing long boots with short pants. I thought it wasn't very hot, but I got really hot eating the iron pan served dish  We stopped by ABC store on the way, I couldn't even carry my little purse. My back was almost out. Nobody is wearing boots hahaha! People looked at me funny and one guy said "Wow rockstar! " Yeah I am a rockstar Lol 

After resting, we went to the beach which is in front of the hotel. This is the first time Ken put his feet on Waikiki beach, his great grandfather's place! In the back, there was a Luau and Hawaiian band was playing. Almost we thought it was his great grandfather's song. He was a famous composer and musician. 

Diamond head in the back. Never visited there before. 

We caught the sunset!

I have a back bracelet on. Water wasn't too cold. 

Then we had drinks at the beach bar. I just drunk pineapple juice 

His people are on the painting 

 

Mom's Anniversary

I have been extremely busy and never updated my blog after the business trip. The boots that I was debating to buy, after all I went back to get them in Melrose 😂 Good salesman! The front covers are exchangeable. I bought zipper covers and more elegant covers, but these safety pin ones catch more attention. Speaking of a good salesman, I got an extra income today 😃 I sold an expensive item. It was a stressful procedure because another salesman was trying to steal my deal. It's worth it though because I got more than I expected! Now we can pay the property tax! 

Anyway it is not about my boots. Today is my mom's anniversary. The day gets shorter and darker suddenly in November. I see a lot of Facebook postings about their loved ones' anniversaries. A few days ago was my mother in law's and also father in law's. My grand ma's tomorrow. Before I went to work today, I prepared traditional Japanese shojin dishes for my mom. I woke up just early enough to make dishes and finish all chanting. As soon as I finished chanting and put away her food, it started raining very hard. It was just an amazing timing as if my mom held the rain until I finished chanting. I used to keep a mini alter of my mom's glasses which were cremated with her inside the house. After I recovered from the same sickness she had, I decided to bury them in my backyard. My cat was there in the morning. This pic was taken in spring.

This pic was taken 30 years ago. Beautiful mom! 

I am wearing a similar white and black sweater today.

I used last incent sticks that I had in stock. It's time to go to Japan to buy more. My travel is coming up! 

Business trip

We are here in Irvine California for a musical instrumental manufacture's meeting. Left home around 8:30AM to catch a plane at 10:40AM. Everything is going smoothly, found a parking spot, security check no problem. Had some time to eat breakfast

So the biggest concern was how I was gonna carry on my guitar. I backstrapped my guitar and put my jacket over it then carried the backpack on my back lol Safely passed the gate!

Then we went to rent a car. We didn't have a reservation, but we got a free upgrade to Charger, which is one of Ken's favorites  He was asking me to rent a mustang if the company pays for it. We rented a mustang before, so Charger was even better! He is happy, but the engine sound is not V8 he is saying. To me whatever 

Only Travelocity ripped me off selling unusable collision protection for $30! I called to cancel, but they never answer the phone  I was on the phone for an hour and gave up. It said waiting time was 12 minutes. Bullshit! My phones battery got low. After choosing the option of them calling back, it was taken care of less than 15 minutes

Arriving at Melrose, it was too hot to walk around. In the middle of October, it was 95 degrees 

A good shoe salesman pulled us to his shop saying he sold the boots to Ayumi Hamasaki. Really? Yeah the boots were very cool, but they are $229! Still thinking, but I think they are too expensive for me. We had to kill some time until my guitar repair guy was available. Hopefully he fix the guitar right this time. After eating our favorite Buja buds burritos, we are heading back to the hotel. Pretty sleepy 

Quick turn around

My husband suddenly remembered he has a band photo shoot today! What the fuck! We are in Yosemite! I spent a lot of money for the hotel to enjoy the day  We didn't get to enjoy this patio and had to get going. 

We stopped at the food court and got some burritos and checked out around 9pm. Rushed to go to another fall, called Bridalveil fall. Hoping it was the one I saw 17 years ago.

The paved trail goes closer to the fall, but I still didn't have the thrill that I experienced 17 years ago. The falls look much narrower than before. I guess all depends on a season. Last time I visited was the end of May. We felt water splashes at that time. 

Chemtrails are everywhere 

Mostly took pictures from the car.

Dirty windshield 

My fashion is all from Walmart lol

Took it with the timer. Crooked 

Came back home little before 3pm. It was exactly 48 hour trip 

What a treat

We had an early gig at a festival and I had to leave my house at 8:30 in the morning  Despite the early show, we gathered a good number of crowds. Many familiar faces  The gig went ok. Morning gigs are tough, we made bunch of mistakes lol. One of our fans who decided to proceed to be a photographer after taking so many shots of us,  took a bunch of pictures as usual. He took from the lower angle, 100% of my photos have double chin  I hate them all! Not posting here.

After a gig, I asked a cart service to be rushed because I wanted to go to Ken's gig. I had to come  back to my house by 3pm to catch a ride with Ken. The cart guy was very cool and he gave me the great service to bring my equipment back to my car. I managed to arrive at my house ten minutes til 3pm. Though I was almost in an accident by pushing the break too hard. A car in front of me suddenly slowed down  Such a light weighted car, probably my heavy equipment in the back saved me from spinning. I spinned in the past so I handled ok. 

Right on schedule! We arrived at Black Oaks casino! The stage looks nice and Ken's band is so professional. I feel embarrassed about my band lol. 

They fed the band and we had a really nice buffet dinner. We started being on diet a few days ago, but we broke it  That was the best prime rib we've ever had!!!

The dance floor was soon to be filled once they started playing. Nice soul train like music 🎶 I was making fun of Ken's costume like Erik Estrada 

I couldn't stay up there after midnight. I was sooooo sleepy. I woke up 5:30 in the morning. I went to the car and slept til the gig was over. The lodging was provided. I slept very well. 

Next morning, we were going to Murphy to chill out, but the breakfast was included at the hotel. Their food was great! Again we broke diet  After we got full, there was no meaning to go to Murphy, so we changed our plan and headed to Yosemite. It was only 45 miles away when I wazed it. I didn't bring shoes or long pants so we stopped at Walmart and got sneakers and jackets etc. For a temporary use, we didn't want to spend much money.  I found leggings for only $3.79! What a deal! At the same time I felt guilty for the cheap labor.  

Ready to go to Yosemite! Actually typed in Yosemite falls, it got longer on Waze and took two hours. Still early enough. Ken is not an outdoor guy at all, so we would've never come to Yosemite. Thanks for the casino gig  We made it to Yosemite falls! 

I got so grumpy when Ken took aweful pictures. I learned photography so I know the basics. I managed to get some good shots by using the timer.

About 17 years ago, I brought my father, grandma and aunts here after my graduation ceremony. I remember seeing fuller water falls and it was much more impressive. Even my grandma cried watching the water falls. Today we had to climb up the rocks to get closer. It looked very different from the one I saw 17 years ago. 

We got hungry and got some food at Yosemite Majestic hotel. Was this hotel here 17 years ago  

I wanted to spend a night in this hotel but the room was sold out. Anyway it was too expensive. For the last minute, I didn't expect to find a super great deal, but I wanted to stay inside of Yosemite park. Luckily one room was available at Yosemite Valley Lodge. It wasn't cheap, but we were tired and it is by the falls. This lodge must be popular and I believe people make reservations a year ahead. I was surprised one room was available! Probably it was the last minute cancellation. We are fortunate! 

Ken was excited to be in the second story bed and climbed up there 

With a private patio! 

What a treat! I didn't expect to be able to come to Yosemite 

Rock celeberty's party

Well, I feel terrible that I posted someone's  personal life on a social media. Last night Ken and I went to his long term friend's birthday party. He is an awesome drummer and lucky to join a ledgendary rock group from this area. Being a musician for over 30 years, Ken knows and plays with a lot of famous people. It was a small party and only about 30 people were invited. I don't like going to parties and talking to people, but I decided to go because Ken wanted a ride and I got to meet a very respectable frontman of a ledgendary rock group. The party started 6:30pm, but we arrived after 8pm knowing that the birthday boy is always late lol. It was a great timing! We found a parking in front of the restaurant and made it to the cake time! I was taking some pictures, but I was trying not to do too much considering their privacy. However, the birthday drummer was encouraging me to take pictures saying Facebook, Facebook to me! I got to meet and talked to one of my old heros. I still remember when I heard their record first time and got astonished by their sound! It was when I was in high school. I went to my boyfriend's house and heard the music, which his older brother was listening in the next room. I had to ask immediately who it was because their sound was just what I was looking for at that time. Then last night, I am hanging out with the guy in the private party! Even I didn't continue listening to the group, they are always one of my favorite bands. I am usually very shy to talk to celebrities and only say one sentence. But last night, I had more opportunity to talk to him. You know American style, when they are saying good bye, it takes forever to finish a conversation  Since we came late and my husband wanted to drink more, we kept missing saying good bye and ended up with staying for the after party  Only my hero and his wife, the birthday boy and his girl friend, another guy, Ken and I went to the bar next to the restaurant. Since they are from this area, we had a lot in common talking about musicians and venues etc. It's funny that they even talked about my band  We stayed until the bar closed their patio. Again taking forever to say good bye  I hugged my hero so many times last night saying great meeting him and promised to go to their concert on Sep 9th oops! Ken is out of town  He wasn't friendly first, but later on he was very very nice to me! Even he handed me a lemoncello first! The party was fun! After came back home, I was kinda obligated to post on Facebook because he was saying Facebook to me more than once. I posted some pictures and then I got a complaint! He didn't want to show his personal life to public. I understand his position, but I was totally misled. Nowadays it is impossible to control social media. I used to be very nervious about my screwed up playing or bad pictures in public after every gig and couldn't sleep well. I am over with it and I thought they were the same way. I deleted the post, but I got over 100 reactions already. This blog was meant to keep my pictures, but it started to be like my secret diary. I calm myself by just writing here honestly and get a relief. Even there are some people mark my page on their favorite, they don't know who I am. Who writes a blog in English on Japanese page? Anyway I was feeling awekward that I posted his BD party. Two big reasons that he wanted me to remove the post I am guessing. I don't think it is for his family. Number one, he didn't want to show his girlfriend to public because his ex girlfriends would be jealous. Number two, he invited only a few friendsand his other friends get offended that they were not invited. I totally understand that and I regret that I posted it. But why they get jealous? Ken was invited to his BD party every year since when he was 24 years old lol! He knows his mom and his family! His other musician friends get jealous because they want to think Ken is the same level as them! No way! He is way beyond the level of them, but they wish to be the same level as him! I think one solution here is to be more famous and then they don't get jealous instead, warship us! I should practice more and Ken should promote his music more. I was gunna put pictures and put the band name here, but I guess I should be careful even this blog is so hidden. I filled with lines on their faces lol. 

Do you think it is safe enough?  Honestly I wanted to show off that I was with my hero last night to my boyfriend in high school through the social media. Maybe it was exactly 30 years ago we were listening to the band's record. Life is amazing.