A family of dreams...

Day 81:

I think everyone in my family has at some point given up a secure thing to follow their dream. Perhaps that's why they've all been so supportive as I follow mine. I wish I had time to tell you all of their stories now, but instead I might spread them out through future posts.

Tonight, I attended a live concert in Shinjuku featuring the Japanese rap group Takarabune. One of the lead rappers goes by the name KMS who is also my little cousin Michael. Michael is like a little brother to me. When I used to dj back in high school, I'd bring him some mix tapes every time I came to visit. And fittingly, we would always go eat ramen together and talk about the latest rap and hip hop.


I guess you could say that I introduced him to rap, but Michael has come a long way since those days. After seeing him live and how he controlled the crowd, I can safely say that he is on the verge of making it big.


Keep up the good work cuz. Your s*** is tight! Live your dream!!


I may be a zombie at work in the morning, but there was no way I was gonna miss seeing my cousin live for the first time.

Friday nights...

Day 80:

Although you're likely to run into a few drunks while roaming the streets of Tokyo on any given night, they seem to multiply every Friday on my way home from work. From dudes kicking walls for no reason and yelling at street signs to the countless number of puke puddles I have to dodge on my bike. It's really quite amusing. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that thought. Here, have some katsudon.

I ride alone...

Day 79:

Not much to write about today. It was like the quiet after the storm. Work was smooth and trance-like and time seemed to pass by quickly. This is my train I take home every night. Because it runs towards Tokyo it's usually pretty empty, which is nice.


Btw, this is the Keio Line local train after 11pm.

The temple of apples...

Day 78:

Brian called and asked if I would meet him at Apple Basic for lunch on my day off. I said hell ya, but then remembered Apple Basic serves tsukemen and is only open at night. No worries, during the day Apple Basic turns into a miso ramen joint called Misoya Ringodou (みそや林檎堂). And so we were off!


Naturally, I ordered the miso ramen and added a free-range (地鶏) hanjuku tamago.


The miso had plenty of flavor and was really dense. It almost seemed like I was eating tsukemen in ramen form. It was very good, but I don't think I can eat this ramen on a regular basis. I noticed something crunchy in the soup too. I'm not sure what it was. Perhaps squid legs?


The free-range hanjuku egg was definitely a highlight.


Best I've ever had? No. But I liked the way it oooozed.


The teaspoon of spicy sauce (Brian pointed out that it was Sriracha) gave it a nice kick, but I felt it needed a bit more. The noodles reminded me of what Bassanova uses in their green curry ramen. No complaints there.


All in all, I don't think I'll ever come back. Brian seemed too agree. This ramen was just "Underground Too Mach." Whatever that means...


Afterwards, I met up with a friend to go apt hunting. Yup, that's right. I'm looking to move out of my bro's place and find a space of my own. Anyway, I couldn't find anything nice and since we were in Medaimae, my friend was hungry for some Ippudo. I skipped on the ramen and just ordered this Chashu Mabushi Gohan. Not bad.


Then it was off to the Hub to spend our Hub cash. Free drinks are always nice! I also met my future wife, but you'll have to get me drunk to explain. haha.


Somehow I don't remember much of this part, but apparently I ate a kebab and snapped this picture.


And luckily, I caught the very last train of the night. That was a great day off.

Where does it end?

Day 77:

The other day, my brother asked me if I knew where this dream will end.


I told him I don't know.


It may end here.


Or even here.


But if things were to go my way...the dream will never end. And someday you will be my witness. Thank you. I will elaborate some more in due time. Peace.