Gaijin San Desu

Check out this clever video done by a westerner in Japan. She puts her camera on the belt of a kaitensushi (sushi-go-round) and takes a video as it goes around the entire restaurant. As it goes back into the kitchen, one of the ladies inquires of one of the sushi chefs whose camera it is, and he says, "Gaijin-san desu," or "it's the Gaijin's."

Check it out here.

New Sponsor of Sand and Tsunamis

A couple of days ago, I got an email from one of the advertising representatives at the Adventure Center.  As regular readers know, I've taken three trips that I set up through them.  The first was to Morocco back in 1999.  The second was with Melody and our friend Lori to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in 2006.  About six months later, I used the company again to set up a trip to China with my buddy Steve.  

Alan, the AC rep, wanted to know if I wanted to put up an "Adventure Finder" widget on the site.  This will be a portal to finding the perfect trip for anyone who would like to use it.  Just fill in the blanks with where you want to go, when you want to go there, and what type of adventure you want.  It will churn around a bit and take you to the Adventure Center website and a multitude of choices.  Give it a try!  

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, the widget is an advertisement for the company, and I actually will get a few cents for each click.  In the event that anyone books a trip, I'll get a small percentage of the price as well.  But don't let that stop you from taking a look. It's a great site, with trips that can fit any budget and traveling style, from family to ultimate, multi-month London to Kathmandu via Cape Town overlanding.   

I've been really happy with the trips I've been on, and look forward to our first family trip that we'll book through the Adventure Center.  

A Happy Baby

Holiday Pictures

A few snaps in front of our Muppet Christmas Tree (so named because it's fake, and reminds me of severed Muppet limbs...).

Bella's first fashion shoot

Finally, a more willing subject for my photographic pursuits than our willful dog, Oji. He's quite photogenic, but is somewhat reluctant to sit for pictures. He either wants to come sniff the camera, or he realizes I'm trying to get a shot, and runs off.

Our dear friends in Japan, Ginny and David of "Day at the Sumo Tournament" fame, sent Bella a really sweet gift. Ginny is a talented knitter, and she made Bella a dress and sweater. I set her up on a couple of pillows, and snapped away. In between some crying shots, and her about to fall over, we got a few good captures.

The dresses kind of swallow her so far, but we love them. The detail is incredible, and the fact that they were hand made for her is really, really special.

Thanks Ginny!

More Isabella

Scolded again by my old friend LT, I am prompted to put up a few more pictures of Baby Bella.

The Happy Family








Daddy and Bella

















Sweet...
















Poppy and Bella











Good lungs...











Chubby Cheeked Cutie

Holiday Humiliations

"Why do you do this to me? I'm going to bite you now."

Our newest little bundle of joy

Please welcome to the world little Isabella Rose. She arrived as a bit of a surprise Sunday, 7 December at 6:05 AM. We're glad to have her, as she's been expected for about 9 months now. Isn't she cute?

We'll be bringing her home soon...will update more later; we've been kind of busy of late!

Post-Election Oji

I think this picture says it all...

Oji, who are you voting for?

Oji makes his choice. Of course, as a Republican, ACORN wouldn't let him register. So, he expresses his opinion of their discrimination.

If he could vote, tomorrow he'd pull the lever for McCain. But, we're not in Chicago, he's not a Democrat, and once again...he has no thumbs...Zannen, desu-yo?



Oji is sad because he can't vote for McCain...