84/365: Oct 5. Spent the day in the office in Shibuya working on the Japan-i Project that Tiger is working on. We were in the final planning stages of a new free monthly Japan-travel English newspaper for tourists, with the deadline Monday 6th. Incredibly stressful work that I got talked into against my better judgement. Took this picture as I left the office that evening, stressed, uptight and exhausted. Had not much more than 5 hours of sleep a night for a few days now, and almost no chance to exercise either. Working way too hard.

85/365: Oct 6. Deadline day for the Japan-I newspaper. I had a complete meltdown in the mid afternoon after completing my most pressing tasks. I sent out emails announcing my intention to spend the rest of the day away from my computer and took off to my favourite place in Tokyo: Jindaiji, where I wandered around a bit in a daze before hitting the most magical onsen in the world. I stayed there for 4 hours, had a massage, a sleep, dinner (kinoko tempura and soba) and 2 extended long soaks in the peaceful, medicinal rotenburo (outdoor hot spa's). Went home, quit Japan-I (actually, it was my second quit for that project, I just stayed on to see the first issue get made) and slept like a dead man for 11 hours.

86/365: Oct 7. Woke up feeling groggy and exhausted, and like I had had a huge night out. Spent most of the day doing as little as possible. Ambled my way into Kichijoji where I taught an English lesson at 4 pm then headed into Aoyama to meet with Lady Elle (Dr Sketchy's organiser & MC) and Blake, event manager from Global Dining to talk about setting up a Dr Sketchy's end of year party/exhibition at restaurant/lounge space La Boheme. Blake was insanely busy (as always) and we ended up spending most of the meeting not at La Boheme but in his little car as he sped around Aoyama, Shibuya and Ebisu, taking phone calls, picking up PA's, dropping them off and generally driving like a maniacal pizza driver (which he was in a former life). He dropped us off an hour or so later in Ebisu where Lady Elle and I found a little lounge bar and plotted our fabulous party.

87/365: Oct 8. Slept another 9.5 hours and this time woke up feeling refreshed and determined to NOT go near my computer. I took this photo on the way to my 11 am class in Kichijoji. It's a sight I see all the time, cracks me up every time. From around 10:55 am - 5 minutes before opening time - most big department stores send some of their staff members to go stand at attention inside the doors, and wait there before unlocking the doors with great ceremony. There are always crowds gathered outside and it makes me wonder why the hell they wait till 11 am to open.

88/365: Oct 9. My boss/colleague Jon came to have morning coffee at my place to discuss my ongoing roles at Tiger. It was a fruitful meeting and I feel way less uptight than I did before. I now do ONLY Biz Nites work at Tiger, and I am the general manager, meaning Jon can step away and focus on Japan-i, and we are going to start paying some staff members to assist me properly so I don't drown under all the work as I have been doing. This also means that I now have time in my schedule for more photography. Yay.

89/365: Oct 10. Spent the day at home working on the next Biz Nite (Oct 20, folks - hope you're all coming down to Daikanyama for it) before going back to La Boheme in Aoyama to finalise the deal with the venue for the Dr Sketchy's party. Afterwards, LadyElle and I met up with Christian (and later, Yuiko) in a cool little Aoyama Izakaya and had a delightful evening with fine conversation, fine food and of course, fine beer. Much needed, for all of us. We're all working too hard.

90/365: Oct 11. With the cooler weather, Gertrude has started moving much slower. She'll be hibernating soon. As will I. Oh winter, you evil cow, get back! Get back, I say! Leave these parts and never return. A quiet day.

91/365: Oct 12. Met up with Kat, Darin and Jake in the park on a break from wedding photo editing.

Off to Takao tomorrow to go mountain hiking with Christian and Yuiko - it's a public holiday - no doubt it'll be a little like Shinjuku station up there on the mountain top.

In other news, I've had a few photo job inquiries this week and have managed to ease back my work at Tiger so I will actually have time for photography again from now on. That makes me SOOOOO happy. It is where my heart lies, so completely.

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