the twisted path of unshed tears

Okay, so I'm a little late on this, but oh well. My episode of Iron Chef America will air next month, on the 11th.

No I won't tell you who I fought, what the secret ingredient was, or who won. Watch it yourselves.

Back home, taking a couple more days off to recover. They haven't told me when my episode will air yet, and right now I really don't care.

The fact that I am posting at this time of day ... actually, I have no clue on that one. I haven't even been to Japan in months.

So after being forced to take the last week off for the holidays (I had no choice, someone give me these wibbly eyes and wanted to know if Chichi would be there to open Christmas presents with everyone), I came in this morning to catch up on paperwork. And found a rather interesting envelope placed deliberately at the top of the pile.

I've been invited to be a challenger on Iron Chef America.

I don't know who's responsible for this, but when I find you, I'm slapping you with a fish.

Vaguely newish band out of Japan (they've been around a couple years, signed major with Nippon Crown earlier this year) and already thinking about hanging it up. Or so my sources say. I hope they change their minds, they're a really great band, IMO.


[not actually a PV, I just couldn't find them on imeem.]

Oh dear god....

On the one hand, I'm glad that Amaya is still too young for us to have to deal with this. On the other hand, I can't imagine this toy is going to go away any time soon.

My First Kenmore

At least they don't have a little girl standing in the product picture (unlike the matching kitchen set)? But it's filed under girls' toys and it's baby pink. This isn't even a product Kenmore actually offers (yes, I checked - their stackable washer/dryers don't look like this) and not even their side-by-sides come in pink. I suspect because when we think of appliances, we think of white or maybe beige machines in clean, squared lines, maybe some chrome. Not pink.

Yes, I know, you all missed my feminist rage rants. :p

I went through and reorganized all my icons just because I could. And now that I have, I have a husband to abuse.

My sous chef is threatening to quit if I don't take another vacation.
This sounds suspiciously like you were involved, Totchi. Care to explain?

One week, success!

Told you I could do it. :p

... why am I craving pizza? Toshi, this is your fault, isn't it?

I've got a secret. :p

Backpedal harder, love. ;p

I still don't know how I got myself into this thing.

There, look, another entry. :P

The day has only just started and I'm already tired.

The things I do for you, Toshiya. :p

I've been challenged to actually write an entry every day this week.

As if, now that I've been given the reins of HOKKAI, I don't have enough to do every day this week. :p

But since Totchi knows my weaknesses....

No, that is not my 'happy face'.

( I am a Sous Chef, not your mother )

It ... may be possible that I have been spending entirely too much time at work.

I'm sorry for neglecting you, blogsphere. I'll try to do better in the future.

So ... tell me what I've missed? ^^

[S: I'm not coming fully off hiatus yet because the next two weeks minimum at work are going to be a bit insane, but I have the day off today, so figured I should at least poke around a bit.]

Ten things I'm grateful for:
1. Toshiya
2. a home of our own
3. the kittens ... all five of them
4. HOKKAI
5. tickets to the Christmas Day reunion concert
6. the ring Toshiya gave me
7. a boss that not only lets me take two weeks of vacation - he insists on it
8. all my friends, both here and back in Japan
9. backstage passes to アリス's Christmas Eve show
10. a handwritten invitation to a very ... special tea ceremony, Christmas Day