PARIS EATS 2.

November 14, 2009

We got a nice dinner together at one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Pont du Garl.


It is as good as its reputation.

ここは予約は必須だけれど、味・ボリューム・コスパ、いずれもレベルが高い安心のお店です。

And for good reason too! Awesome service, friendly, low key, amazingly simple food and cheap! I highly recommend it as well!




カスレ。自家製激太ソーセージ(直径3センチくらいか）に鶏のモモが一足ゴン！と入って、それを白いんげん豆と煮たフランスの田舎料理です。







Great company as well. We all do our respective hustle...but it's nice to just get together and not really talk about any of that shit yet still have a great time. It's not always about "networking". Even though collectively, we could probably do some really ill shit together.




Eating should not feel like trying to get into a nightclub. It should be an honest, true, friendly experience that friggin' satisfies your belly. Period.

DYNAMIC DUOS.

November 8, 2009


This Fall, my younger brother, Shinta was (finally!) getting married to a really great lady (Tomoko) that I can finally approve of.

I had a great time. Not everything is seen here, but some highlights.


写真がありすぎて。数枚に凝縮します。

Contemporary Japanese weddings are celebrated in a great variety of ways. Many contain traditional Japanese and Western elements side by side.

Traditionally, the religious wedding ceremony is held in Shinto style at a shrine. Nowadays, this shrine may be located inside the hotel where the festivities take place. A Shinto priest conducts the ceremony, which is visited by only the close family members of the couple.

And of course, the whole reason for coming down here anyway! Shinta's wedding!

Again, congrats to Shinta and Tomoko...his was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to do. Simple perfection.


In the ceremony, the couple is purified, drinks sake, and the groom reads the words of commitment. At the end of the ceremony, symbolic offerings are given to the kami. The couple is dressed in traditional kimono.




After the ceremony, the couple welcomes all the guests, and the reception party is held. Usually the party is visited by about 20 to 200 guests among whom are relatives, friends, co-workers and bosses of the bride and groom. The party normally starts with the introductions of the bride and groom.

Afterwards, a meal is held and several guests make contributions such as speeches, songs and the like. During the whole celebrations, the groom and especially the bride may change their dresses several times. At the very end of the party, the couple will make a speech to all the guests and thank everybody.






























Good speech.






I had a great time and met a lot of inspiring people. Some great pairs I had the pleasure of either meeting or catching up with.