Just a quick one. I'm at work and have an unexpected free period so thought I'd take this time to offer a quick photo-less update as to why things have been so quiet around frangipani.info...

Ha, where do I start? With the great big hotpot of love, I guess. The perfect antidote to the coldness of Tokyoites that has been getting me down (again) recently: a huge surprise party thrown by my dear friends and family to celebrate my impending 40th birthday.

I was kidnapped (willingly) and taken to Ohama Beach, down near Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula and surprised - one by one - by my brother David, my sister-in-law Elissa and god-daughter Evie, my nephews Darcy and Fraser and then the "official babysitters" for the trip, Elissa's parents Bert and Nerida. I had NO IDEA! The extended surprise is all on video and I plan to post it here as soon as things settle down again (tho I don't know when that will be...).

It was a huge weekend, and I had the most wonderful time. Christian, you are the best friend a girl could ever have - how can I ever thank you for everything you have done for me and my family? Helen and Tracey - you two divine planners, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! I love you. Ashley, Sandi, Jeff, Su-san, Kevin, Yuiko: thank-you for making the long trek down to Izu to be a part of it all. So very special. Photos, of course, to come.

But it doesn't end there. My great buddies Mirko, Seja and Simon, from the band Sekiden, are on tour in Japan and have been staying at my place. They left this morning for Nagoya after a lovely dinner last night.We didn't get much time together due to the big surprise Bday adventure, but my brother and I did catch them playing in Shibuya on Sunday night.

As if things couldn't get any more frenetic, I have a few other surprise friends in town (Andrea Innocent, for one - the other yet to be un-covered and I'm dying to know who it is!) and am trying to fit all this in with my regular work schedule and the few other extra bits and bobs I need to do for my exhibition currently showing at Araku. Actually, we're all heading out to Araku tonight so if anyone needs an excuse to go - tonights a good night to visit. AND! I leave for a one month trip to Oz in 11 days.

Glad the hotpot of love-lentils got served up on the weekend, must say that that kind of nourishment is immensely powerful. Must go, it's almost time for my next class and the photocopying must be done....