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<description>Keith Watanabe's Website</description>
<item>
<title>Vegas</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/1/30/5751a1b800ecc4aca83f7a527c1f813c.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Picked up the Vegas bug since I came back from Japan the first time with my Ex-.  Don't know why of all places Vegas, but I guess it's the closest thing to Tokyo for me (alive, crazy city).  At the moment, I'm going to wait to make another trip out there.  Got too much debt.  However, I'm thinking of making a go after the Wynn opens.  That looks like it'll hit a 5* AAA rating.  Unlike Japan where you'd get a redlight district like Kabukicho, Vegas' hotels are pretty distinct.  At the core, they all have very similar things: gambling, pools, room amenities, shows, food and buffets (most).  But the specifics for each one make hitting all the hotels worthwhile.

My current goals for Vegas next time around are trying some of the higher dollar value crap tables, eating at the Seafood Buffet at the Rio, eating the Sterling Brunch at Bally's, and checking out the Wynn.  As for my choice of a hotel, it depends on my finances.  Probably Bally's again.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Jan 2005 06:50:27 -0700</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/1/30/5751a1b800ecc4aca83f7a527c1f813c.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>Vegas this Saturday</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/4/25/61fd811881e39d788de3404d50b5550a.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Booked Excalibur this time around.  Cost me a bit but that's okay.  I'll get a chance to check out the new Wynn Hotel.  that should be exciting :)  probably i'll play craps.  can't wait!]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2005 22:23:37 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/4/25/61fd811881e39d788de3404d50b5550a.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>Vegas This Past Weekend</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/5/3/c9a4e84de7308c4a3e7da5a84cede13d.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Had a very good time.  Didn't get up as I would have liked but I enjoyed myself quite well.  Got in around 9 or so at Excalibur.  Pretty crowded check in but once it was my turn, we got things rolling pretty fast (hey girls, I'm as efficient as they come).  Got a room on the 15th floor outlooking the 15.  Saw the pools from our spot but didn't get a shot to try them out.  The weather definitely would've allowed it, but not our time constraints.

Prior to that we hit Mandalay Bay for  morning breakfast.  At $13 per person, it wasn't a bad deal.  Nothing spectacular as I was hoping for and the selection was a lot more limited than at some of the other buffets.  Still we had a nice view of the poolside area and the ambience was good.  I took a nice survey of their breakfast items but again I'd have to try it for dinner to see how it compares against the other spots.

After checkin and breakfast, we played a little of the Wheel of Fortune.  Got up at $7 and decided to hang out a while elsewhere.  Went towards the Luxor to meet a friend of Kris' (Amabelle).  Met her outside of the Luxor and hit Treasure Island to meet some friends of hers.  Got a tour of the new Wynn Hotel.  My impression?  It's the Bellagio with cheasy colors.  Inside, they've got a lot of classy stores but you can't help but think that it's the Bellagio with the Skittles carpet.  Guys with Purple suits and red ties.  Purple?????  Place was bustling as you'd expect with all the hype from Thursday night's grand opening.  All the standard fare you'd expect out of a Wynn hotel and then some.  Decor was definitely in line with the Bellagio.  Couldn't see the golf course, which I heard cost $500 per game.  Did get to catch the Ferrari dealership.  Obviously that spot is more for show than something serious to the average joe.  But next to it for the typical Vegas tourist you had a more affordable gift shop that sold Ferrari goods.  So if you ever wanted a Ferrari and desired to brag to your friends you bought one at the Wynn Hotel, pick up a toy car.

If there's one thing that's obvious (to guys at least), it's that the waitresses there are FUCKING HOT!!!!  i don't impress easy since my taste compares against Tokyo women (especially since I was living in Lolita heaven of Harajuku for over a year!).  But these women are some of the best eye candy you can get for free in Vegas.  usually you get some wrinkly, old maid that probably worked in a different, ahem, spot in Vegas.  Not so with the Wynn.  Only the best you can catch.  Don't know if the pay is any better, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they ain't letting anything that wouldn't qualify for America's Top Model as an applicant in their employment line.

That took a few hours to patrol around.  I did spot a buffet inside so that'll be one of my future goals in evaluating all the Vegas buffets.  My guess is that it'll be on par or even supercede Bellagio.  Still a good looking hotel that is a place a suitor should take their girl to impress one day.

Afterwards, we got hungry and hit TI for their buffet.  Seafood night cost us $23/person.  However, it was good quality food.  I had some bad impressions after reading this review:

http://www.ratelasvegas.com/buffets/ratings/b45.html

however, don't let a bunch of online thugs fool you with their opinions.  this place is a Wynn hotel creation so the buffet (which was revamped) should be on par as a very good spot.  And man, let me tell you the food was wonderful.  Not on the level of Paris or Bellagio, but definitely it exceeded my expectations.  Most notable there are the made-to-order salad bar and dessert station.  As you enter the buffet, you can see their bakery with the chocolate dipped strawberries, the freshly sugar dipped donuts and other goodies just to wet your appetite.  It's a slight notch under the Mirage in my book since the selection is a little smaller, but what they do have is fresh and extremely tasty.

After that we left for Excalibur and spent a few hours at the craps tables before Kris suggested hitting Paris.  Before that we got dressed but I made the mistake of wearing my formal shoes.  Never, and i mean NEVER, wear those things when you have to travel hard because that Strip is merciless on the feet.  Not to mention the temperature was warmer than I expected so having a suit was to my detriment.  Inside the hotels at this period at night was shocking because the AC wasn't on!  Anyway, we hit Paris and hung out at the bar there for a while.  Only had one drink because my feet were killing me.  But we split and tried taking the monorail via Bally's.  A shame those bastards don't tell you ahead of time that the monorail ONLY runs between 7 am - 2 am.  So we were only left with walking back.  Somehow we made it but my feet were SORE.

we hit back downstairs and did more craps.  I got nailed although we had a few decent shooters.  Problem was that the table was quite full.  So we went to a smaller one.   Much easier to bet when you can rely on the shooter.  Unfortunately, they closed that one down so we were transplanted to the last one available.  One woman did quite well and had a nice streak going.  But her BF crapped out immediately and I decided that I should too.  Hit the room at 4:30.  I was like, "How the hell are we going to get out of here tomorrow?"  Kris staggered back in at around 8!!!  Check out was around 11 am so I said, fuck it and just slept.

Fortunately, some biological alarm got us both up and we managed to leave at 10:50 or so.  Packed our stuff back up and hit MGM for a wonderful brunch.  MGM has one of the best meals in town.  They don't have much in terms of ethnic food, but what they do offer is very good and tasty.  And they still offer a fair choice in items, almost all which are great.  Also, a wonderful dessert section which compliments people on diets with their sugar free desserts.  I've always recommended this place and haven't been disappointed yet.

Drove back and got caught in typical LA traffic.  But we made good time and I crashed almost immediately after checking my email.  Overall, great weekend.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2005 01:26:39 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/5/3/c9a4e84de7308c4a3e7da5a84cede13d.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>new pictures from latest vegas trip</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/6/19/7668e0221b27e037c592ba7620f848cf.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[click on the photos link and browse the vegas link to see more pictures added to my vegas gallery.  very relaxing this time!]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jun 2005 01:15:11 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/6/19/7668e0221b27e037c592ba7620f848cf.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>fun vegas trip</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/11/18/b8f40d0a3cf495981d6d20ffe5dc2b83.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[hit treasure island this time around.  very good hotel.  nice location, got a nice price, and the amenities were swell.  they even gave us a pair of free spa passes (we showed up 1 hour before closing time)!  went downtown to play craps at the California.  not sure if i'd want to stay there but we did well, making about $60/person.  for food buffets, we ate at mirage, bellagio, and paris and tried the coffee shop at TI.  nice spot.  although vegas is famous for buffets, they also have some very good coffee shops that run 24 hours.  no point in going to a poisonous Surf Town to spend the rest of your trip with your face dipped in the porcelain can.

definitely, i'd love to go again before hitting up Tokyo.  not sure where to stay but i'll definitely look at TI again.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2005 12:58:19 -0700</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/11/18/b8f40d0a3cf495981d6d20ffe5dc2b83.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Skypass</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/12/1/e131f8b8001f6ecb4fd5c0ec88f43dd1.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[just signed up with Korean Airlines' Skypass.  i already have a JAL membership (gotta find my card).  unfortunately, i won't be getting my membership card before i return.  damn.  could've used the extra miles.  but the thing is that i travel so frequently with them that i figured i might as well give them a go.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:47:31 -0700</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2005/12/1/e131f8b8001f6ecb4fd5c0ec88f43dd1.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>vegas trip 2006</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/7/14/83e33ff3d3bd777e6745b4477fbb556a.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[came home yesterday from a 5 day long excursion in vegas.  probably one day too long because i really needed the extra day here.  not the greatest of trips either.  freak storm on the way up and spent most of my time sleeping.  the spas were great but i did get a nasty sunburn on my back.  best part was eating at the Wynn.  Now THAT is a great place to dine.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jul 2006 23:49:49 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/7/14/83e33ff3d3bd777e6745b4477fbb556a.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>don't travel right now</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/8/10/170d97feb88cb9e0ac405600d4be1563.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[i suggest that people stop travelling by plane for now.  while naturally the recent events have been attributed to terrorism, what people need to do is inform their governments that the handling of flights should not be stifled with draconian measures.  these isolated incidents, while potentially serious, should be treated with care of course and caution....but in limitation.  i feel that this recent scare will only urge the governments to produce far more draconian measures to invade the privacy of the normal, innocent bystander.  most of us who can only travel economy class do not have the luxury of having our items transported over seas where they'll be conveniently located at some hotel, etc. the minute we arrive.

the average person must telegraph that their rights should not be undermined by these acts and that the government should only enforce these policies with reasonable scoping.  after a week, i hope that travelling becomes normal again because the truth is that people are at risk no matter what they bring.  but again, the real problem isn't the screeners, what people carry with them, etc.  the problem is that if a terrorist wants to assault the innocent, they'll find a method because everything has a loop hole.  

so what must really be contested is a global social engineering policy.  with the tensions in the middle east and US foreign policy ever increasing their draconian policing, the real danger is in the perception of america, which is why people target them in the first place.  these situations are completely unfair to the average person who just wants to go from point A to point B with minimal hassle.  now you're introducing massive, irrational inconveniences that are obviously thought about by some pointy haired boss with little concern about business, user interface and humanism.

again i emphasize that people should stop travelling to send a message to the US and the airline industry that they don't want to deal with this shit anymore.  it doesn't make sense to support an overpriced, unfriendly industry when they treat you like shit.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:11:07 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/8/10/170d97feb88cb9e0ac405600d4be1563.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>another flamer</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/8/27/201a09d4d538e2f4d4d8a466f3e918ff.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[this time in Kentucky.  just about a week after the Russian plane got smoked and about two weeks after the incident in the UK.  what this is clearly indicating is that the means of transportation for flying must change.  as i keep saying, a plane is essentially a missile packed with bodies.  obviously, this won't happen on a daily basis, but when it happens, it'll make top headlines everywhere.

that's the whole thing though.  the casualties in a plane crash are numerous so people are instantly going to fret whenever they hear such an incident.  i still say that research must hasten to create a more efficient flight mechanism that won't create such devastation in this type of event.

people can no longer rely on airlines considering the events in the past few years.  i think the car manufacturers should step up to the plate and move from their current business model of grounding people to aviation.  considering the technology and knowledge humans possess collectively, we ought to do better than our current condition.  this is becoming truly pathetic.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:16:52 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/8/27/201a09d4d538e2f4d4d8a466f3e918ff.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>this week passed too fast!</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/11/25/8afc8836a0f167dbbc11ee696763e051.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[i really wish i had more vacation time to spend with my family.  as always, time just escaped me and i ended up doing too much. it's funny how now i want to be back in the states. i just want my life to be easier and wish that i wouldn't have to worry about crap all the time.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 Nov 2006 08:42:29 -0700</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2006/11/25/8afc8836a0f167dbbc11ee696763e051.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>bye bye stardust</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/3/13/c91e0e9b1fb5cbe5ebe52791969b55ef.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[the Stardust was imploded just the other day.  sorry to see it go since it was a historical hotel and i heard not a bad stay.  like everything else, it had its expiry tag.  my only regret was not having a chance to eat there.  heard there was a nice southern buffet.  also, some good table games. it'll be interesting to see what takes its place as Vegas constantly expands out.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:09:59 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/3/13/c91e0e9b1fb5cbe5ebe52791969b55ef.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>East Coast in Trouble</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/4/15/56675aebc664142de5b26b779977517b.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[I'm supposed to fly out on Saturday.  Hopefully, snow storms will continue and prevent me from having to fly out at all. But this is God's punishment (or maybe Satan's depending on whom you ask) for doing this stupid trip to the states. I wish they just nix the idea and NOT send me at all.   But my company is too stupid.   It'd be better if an earthquake hit and the building toppled over here in Kamiyacho (while I'm safely at home).]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 2007 18:28:48 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/4/15/56675aebc664142de5b26b779977517b.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>East Coast</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/4/23/759c071817e4c810aa14a3e48b2e6bb4.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Whelp, somehow i made it out here.  got to see two US states i never really have been to.  but i might get a chance to see a few more while i'm here.  got a glimpse of NYC, but didn't travel into it.  too bad since it's obviously a happening place. Connecticut, on the other hand, is a suburban dump.  Just a wasteland of nothing except dead trees and houses spread apart by miles.  But at least I can say that i've seen it.  I wish i could go into Atlantic City just to check it out while i'm here.  I'll definitely make an attempt to hit Boston sometime.  maybe even Maine.  I'd love to try the lobster and New England clam chowder while i'm here.

Going back to CT.  It's so dead out here.  I was first amazed at the fact that the freeway and streets are narrow.  not claustrophobic but not nearly as wide as LA.  drivers seem slow and just cruisin'.  guess people are pretty laid back out here, but not LA laid back.

lots of housing and very little in between.  i doubt there's anything good to really eat around here.  seems more like 'burb food.  typical fast food spots.  not even one White Castle here!  Damn!!!!  i absolutely must eat at White Castle before i leave!  segue.

my zone is just like small strip mall type of spots with bigger family stores abound.  streets are built horribly without any signs except plastered on the side, making it impossible to read.    if you're not careful, you can easily miss a corner or street.  i'll have to get used to this place.  definitely tough navigating.

wish we were in NYC.  i think it would've been more pleasant, or at least interesting to say the least....]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2007 03:08:04 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/4/23/759c071817e4c810aa14a3e48b2e6bb4.html</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>NYC</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/5/1/b2505c1a8e8f1f562fb0eb94391a4a35.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[i got a chance to hit NYC yesterday.  wow, it was crazy!!!  i drove from Simsbury in Connecticut (to pick up my coworker) and went to New Haven's train station.  Then we took a LONG ride into NYC's Grand Central Station.  I've only seen a few images from movies for Grand Central Station so that was neat for me in seeing it up close for the first time.  The first stop was Times Square.  The place was VERY crowded and a little warm.  It was even a bit sunny and humid.  The streets are much wider than Tokyo but still people are slow and there are too many.  It also smelled funny.  I saw one of those police horsemen so that was one of the funny smells.  The cool thing for me was seeing the main intersection, the one that's in so many movies like Spiderman.  Lots of street performers.  Also, we walked near Broadway so we passed by many of the famous theaters.  There's so much to see that I forgot to take pictures at times.  We ended up eating a NYC pizza place called "Ray's World Famous Pizza."  I heard that there's so many of these around NYC but I don't think we were at the original.  Still it was quite good (and large!)
Afterwards, we decided to hit Brooklyn to check out the Statue of Liberty.  We took a wrong subway initially and wasted a ticket.  However, we walked up a few streets to catch one heading to the ferry.  It wasn't completely running through that day.  But we had the chance to catch a free bus from one station to the Southern area.  We passed up Wall Street along the way.  Obviously, it wasn't bustling since yesterday was Saturday.  But it was great getting to see that area (I have an interest because i used to work in securities).
Eventually, we hit the Southern area and took the Ferry to Staten island.  Actually, this was a mistake on my part because I thought the Statue of Liberty was part of Staten Island (i was wrong and the Statue is located at Liberty island; i should've suspected something was wrong when i heard that the ferry was for free and had too many people!)  We got to cross the harbor and check out the area though a bit.  It wasn't too bad and because it was free we could return easily (only 30 minutes....geeze).

Afterwards, we walked up a bit to see the World Trade Center zone.  It's under complete construction so most of the area is blocked off for visitors.  I was pretty speechless in seeing the area.  Really large spot and you could see the new Freedom Tower being constructed.  It's amazing to see the small businesses thriving around the area too.

Next we went to hit the Empire States Building.  Tried grabbing a taxi but the guy was a douche.  Next guy took us up and we raced across to get to the spot.  Man, driving in NYC is insane!  You kinda feel scared for your life in one of those things.  I noticed and heard that many cars in NYC have scratches and dents and I saw them as well.  I think if I were to live out there, I'd just walk everywhere!

We got to the Empire State Building safely somehow.  There, we noticed that a huge line was being formed.  We had to wait quite a while.  They even had some strict security, almost airport like there!  How inconvenient!  They place is basically a big scam, but I'll get to that in a moment.  Somehow we made it to the top; we ended up purchasing the express tickets to save on time.  If we didn't we would've waited another hour.  There was no way our feet and back could've taken the punishment.  So with these tickets we bypassed the crowds and went up pretty fast.  You arrive at the 80th floor quite fast but they get you to take a picture.  I'll get back to this at the end too.  So they shove you into the elevator again to go up to the observation deck on the 86th floor.  There are 106 floors I think you can access, but we needed yet another special ticket for the upper ones.  The deck was amazing!  You could go outside and view NYC in its entirety.  What a view!  I took quite a few shots while up here.  The place is just huge and you can't get the concept until you're sitting on top of the world.
Soon we left.  Yeah, we should've stayed another 20 minutes but we were both hungry.  When we hit the 80th floor we were "forced" to pay for those photos.  Now, this is where I think things are really strange.  I think the whole Empire State Building thing is a massive scam on tourists.  I read that not that many people are renting it out anymore.   So I think they've created ways to recuperate the cost.  Tourism is something suckers like myself can fall into.  So your experience in fact might cost up to $100 for roughly 30 quality minutes in being there!  What a rip off!  Disneyland and other amusement parks are a lot better!  They only had three cashiers open too on a Saturday!  I'm certain they could accommodate more people.  But it's obvious that people are willing to pay for it so it works out.

We left a little mad but still glad to see NYC from above.  The experience besides the wait and payment was a good one so I can't complain too much.  We walked back up Broadway towards Time Square.  Quite a walk.  About 17 streets or so up.  I knew about a famous NYC steakhouse called Gallaghers and wanted to try it out.  I managed to navigate us to the right spot without incident.  Gallaghers is also in Las Vegas at the NY NY Hotel and has quite a reputation.  Great place.  Lots of famous photos of baseball stars and old actors/actresses adorn the walls.  The meal was phenomenal!  Fresh bread, special potato dish and a nice NY style steak.  Just great.

Lastly, we head back to Grand Central along 5th avenue.  Most of the stores were closed so there wasn't much to see.     tons of shopping in that area.  All the name brand stuff that a woman would love.  Finally, we made it to Grand Central a shot back to New Haven.  Long trip and I fell asleep part of the way.  Train was extremely crowded but we got seats.  It would've been painful standing for 90 minutes otherwise.  So we got lucky.

Got back and I managed to drive back without incident (I've been getting lost quite a few times so far).
Anyway, great experience.  Hope to do it again.  Still need to see Barney's and Central Park up close]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2007 05:49:02 -0600</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2007/5/1/b2505c1a8e8f1f562fb0eb94391a4a35.html</guid>
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<item>
<title>Rough Week</title>
<link>http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/4/5/5f40c9a3e90af97aa8245f40552adb1b.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Well, for myself it was more physically exhausting than mentally exerting.  I did have some bouts in terms of working against some nasty problems at work, but I managed to complete most of them.  But the telling story was just me sleeping all day Saturday.  These days, I use Saturday as a mental recovery day.  It's truly irrelevant what I do the previous night.  Drinking probably slows me down another half a day, but lately I really need my Saturdays to recuperate.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, this week was nuts because I also purchased my ticket for May.  Can't wait to get back to LA for a few weeks.  But the price was ridiculous!  Sadly, the price of gas is roughly the same cost as the ticket itself!  I easily spent $400 just for the gas.  My friend suggested trying Singapore Airlines next time because the gas is cheaper.  I guess I'll have to take a look at the prices a little better.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the price of gas really set me back this month.  I've got 19 more days before the next pay day, so I have to play it humble.  On a positive note, I will have just about a week off for Golden Week.  I'm so happy to be out of the financial service market, since those people are practically working as long as the market is open.  I can actually do something relevant for myself during that time.  Of course, I plan to send a good chunk of change home since I'll be spending 3 weeks in LA.  But I'd like to see or do something, hopefully outside of Tokyo for once.  I kinda doubt it though.<br />
<br />
Also, I saw my friend who works at this Lady's Bar last Friday.  I was kinda saddened to find she got a finance in Hawaii.  Sucks because she was cute.  But very flaky.  I guess that'll work out for the better as I really need to avoid flaky girls these days.<br />
<br />
Went to Kudanshita to check out the cherry blossoms with some friends.  I was pretty much in awe at the number of Yatai setup as well as the sheer number of salarimen (and women) sprawled around the Yasukuni Shrine.  When I tried looking for my group, I was slightly intimidated in that it was nearly impossible to differentiate between all the generically attired people.  When it was finished though, everyone was pretty plastered (except me because I'm attempting to avoid drinking to cut down on my body fat).  I wish more ladies attended and was disappointed to not see many people.  However, the crowd around us was a riot.  Some idiot kids were just slipping and sliding in front of us.  It was like watching a Vaudville comedy act, except these guys were landing hard.  I suppose they'll feel it on Monday when they recover.<br />
<br />
I'm not looking forward to the coming week as weather reports indicate that it'll rain from Monday.  This year really blows in terms of weather.  This winter was immensely cold and even now it's still pretty chilly.  And it really hasn't warmed up that much.  But the cherry blossoms quickly are dissolving into the water so there's really not much to see or do this year.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I should be meeting with Leron for some yakitori.  Hopefully, the weather holds up as I'd like to hit Shinjuku and grab some grub.  Also, I hope to hit the gym.  I've been doing fairly well recently in terms of my attendance at the gym.  I'm trying to average between 3-4 times a week.  This week, I hit the gym 3 times and last month I managed to go 15 times.  Since the cost of going to the gym is quite high out here, you have to be economically minded in how you utilize your membership.  I figured that 4 times/week will bring the cost down to less than 1000-en/entry.  Also, that factors in to your home water usage as I simply shower at the gym.  And of course, I have a lot more energy as a result.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:42:30 -0600</pubDate>
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