Houston Marathon

January 30, 2011

Nothing like waking up a little groggy from last night's beers, grabbing a kolache and a travel mug of coffee, and standing around watching other people run by, already on their 22nd mile. Made me feel a bit like a lazy bum. Props to all the runners!

Friendly Visitor

January 29, 2011

This guy came to visit us as we were enjoying beers on the patio at Brixx. He wanted to be everyone's best friend.

Sriracha

January 28, 2011

I'm not sure there's anything that this stuff doesn't make better. If they made a Sriracha-flavored ice cream, it would probably be my favorite flavor.

Bridge Over I-10

January 27, 2011

Long exposure of night traffic on I-10. I'm not typically afraid of heights, but the bridge would shake when 18-wheelers went under, which was unnerving.

Afternoon Sun

January 26, 2011

My office window faces west, which is nice these days because I get to see the sunset from my desk. Only problem is that the afternoon sun pours in around five...

Absolve

January 25, 2011

I met some girls at Absolve Wine Lounge this evening. I can't believe this place was right under my nose and I never noticed it! Probably because it's in a strip center. The decor is very attractive...big, comfortable couches and chairs, velvet curtains, pretty chandeliers and lanterns over the bar area. Despite all that, I took a picture of a pile of books they had under a lamp.

City Centre

January 24, 2011

I had a little extra time before my training at the gym, so I had a quick soup and salad at Ruggles and passed by the fountain at City Centre.

Jet Lag

January 23, 2011

My eyelids have felt like they have weights attached to them all day. We only ventured out of the house for a quick dinner nearby. So here's some olive oil and vinegar at Candelari's.

Waitin for a Train

January 22, 2011

Self portrait while we waited for the Narita Express train to the airport. Goodbye, Tokyo!

Tokyo Nightlife

January 21, 2011

Street view as we walked to a karaoke bar. A fantastic last night!

Robataya

January 20, 2011

Today is our 4-year anniversary! We went out for a nice dinner at Robataya, and had one of the most entertaining dining experiences we have had. Robatayaki is Japanese-style grilling over hot coals, with the freshest ingredients prepared and served very simply in front of the diners. The raw ingredients are all laid out in front of the grills - just point and it is grilled and on your plate in no time.

Our first course was four different types of sashimi: tuna, salmon, flounder, and a mystery fish we couldn't understand when they told us. Vegetables came throughout dinner: potatoes, asparagus, eggplant, mushrooms, and peppers. Then came the kobe beef...OMG a love child of beef and butter as far as I could tell...served with freshly ground wasabi and garlic. Last was the whole fish that had been grilling the entire time - delicious, but hard work to get the meat off the bones.

The cooks and waiters put on quite a show for us (as I'm sure they do for any tourists venturing in), shouting out orders with unnecessary volume in the tiny restaurant. Apparently it's quite the celebrity destination - the owner showed us a photo album of him posing with famous movie stars, singers, and athletes. Sting had been in there four days prior! We didn't make the cut in his album.

Kamakura

January 19, 2011

We took the train about 40 miles south of Tokyo to Kamakura, a beautiful coastal town. This is Hasedera Temple, which is situated on a hill and surrounded by gardens and ponds.

Rainbow Bridge

January 18, 2011

The monorail ride to Tokyo Bay brought some amazing views of Rainbow Bridge and the surrounding area. It was chilly, but not a cloud in the sky!

Trains

January 17, 2011

We are suffering from major jet lag. Luckily our tour guide is good about keeping us moving until a reasonable hour in the evening. We spent a good while on various trains today. It is astonishing how many advertisements can be crammed into the tiniest of spaces.

Zama

January 16, 2011

What a trip. 13.5 hour flight from Houston to Tokyo, 2 hour train ride, 30 minute train ride, 10 minute subway ride, 15 minute walk to Camp Zama, where we spent our first night. Camp Zama is the U.S. Army base where James's brother Jeff has been stationed for the past couple years.

After settling in at the hotel on base, we took a short train ride to this dumpling house. The order was 60 dumplings, and two large bottles of Kirin beer. The pork-filled dumplings were pan-fried, and served with a variety of sauces - soy, chili, garlic, and vinegar - to be mixed in individual bowls to your own liking. Delicious!

Tokyo or Bust

January 15, 2011

IAH Terminal E from the President's Club. Beginning our journey to Tokyo!

Splurge

January 14, 2011

This is horribly blurred without a flash, but this is my personal trainer scarfing down a piece of cheesecake. Everyone at the table (including her) decided that the irony qualified it as my pic of the day.

p.s. Our plane for Tokyo leaves tomorrow, so hopefully that will yield more interesting pics-of-the-day! Stay tuned.

Rawr.

January 13, 2011

Well, more like *yawn*

Brrrrrr............

January 12, 2011

There's a reason I live in Texas. I should not have to endure these temperatures!

After-Work Battle: Drinks vs. Gym

January 11, 2011

Drinks won. We checked out a new place on Washington - wasn't as lodge-y as I would have expected from the name, but the karaoke was amusing.

Labyrinth

January 10, 2011

NASA Jets

January 9, 2011

We went out with friends in Clear Lake last night - passed by NASA on the way home.

Pancakes!

January 8, 2011

We decided on breakfast for dinner - apple pancakes and breakfast sausage links! Delicious.

Tulips

January 7, 2011

My sweet coworker brought all the ladies tulips today. My favorite flower...always makes me smile!

The Birds

January 6, 2011

I don't know how they decide where to congregate, but this intersection is always like this in the evening.

Sunset in Rice Military

January 5, 2011

Back to Work...

January 4, 2010

Meet Javier, my clay fish. He eats mostly paperclips, but will enjoy an occasional penny or thumbtack. I picked up Javier in Zihuatanejo, Mexico a few years ago. He and Andy Dufresne were probably best friends before that Red guy showed up.

Bye Bye Holidays.

January 3, 2011

My tree is protesting being taken down by shooting laser beams at me!! I had today off work, but have to go back for the rest of the week. The holiday season is officially over. :(

Shopping Cart and Train Tracks

January 2, 2011

Lots of treasures to find at the train tracks at the end of our street.

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2011

My very first post! I was going to go out today and get all artsy for my first pic, but that fell through for several reasons. Last night's New Year's Eve festivities rendered me couch-ridden for the majority of the day. Plus, I think my very first picture taken in 2011 (12:01AM) is a pretty good start, despite my obvious lack of composition skills at that point. Here's to a fantastic year. May the remaining days be more adventurous and productive than this one has been.