I'm off to Nagasaki at sparrows fart tomorrow morning, as are Kat, Darin & Jake Taiga, to attend Tyler and Mihoko's wedding. It's gonna be such a hoot! Tylers family are coming out from Wisconsin and it'll be their first time in Japan. There is a lot of cool stuff planned for us, hopefully the rain won't be too much of a problem.

After the 3 day wedding celebrations settle down, I'm planning a slow trip up to Kyoto on my own, stopping off in Onomichi, Kurashiki and Nara. In Kyoto, I'm meeting up with my dear Aureole - she'll be in Japan for 5 days on her way to the European Tattoo Convention circuit. I'm pretty excited about being able to show her Kyoto in hanami time. The cherry blossoms will be out and there'll be a great vibe in the air.

Spring is really an important time in Japan (as I have mentioned on at least 5 other occasions) - an annual cycle ends, another begins. Schools graduate. Companies accept their new staff intakes. Taxes are paid... More so than usual, this spring feels like significant time for me. Lots of people leaving, others swinging by for visits, and all the while all of them/us making great plans for the future. I had an interesting meeting with a guy today about a potentially awesome option for my fabulous new career (in all it's embryonic glory). Hope it pans out. Will be able to talk about it some more by the end of April (if we can make it happen!).

Anyways.

You can see some snaps from the past weeks worth of events over at my facebook albums. They include pics from the mad night out for the beautiful J-sters flying visit, Mountaingoat and Oshioto's itterashai party at Araku, a day at the park and Timbo and Andrews sayonara party. Actually, Tim isn't leaving till next week but Kat, Darin & I are heading off to Nagasaki so last night was the last night we'd all be in Tokyo the same night... seems so strange. I will really miss you, Tim. Tokyo won't be quite the same without you.

Kanpai!

Bye Timbo!

Bye (again) Andrew!

Walk long and prosper Mountaingoat

*Love* that golden hair J-Ster!

Oh. And I bought a new camera.