We celebrated Jem (Aug 17), Lau (Aug 25) and M’s (Aug 31) birthday by indulging into gluttony at the Carne Station at Ginza. For only 1000 yen (lunch time) we got to stuff our bellies with tabehodai (eat-all-you-can) yakiniku red meat for an hour Highly recommended for meat lovers. Too bad it only lasted an hour.

Because lunch finished early and we were up for more partying, the gang went to the Big Echo Karaoke at Ginza to burn some calories we accumulated from the tabehodai. We had so much fun that I think we spent around 5-6 hours singing and dancing and shouting. Hahaha. I had bit too much Smirnoff Ice that some episodes were a bit hazy. Hehehe.

Kaladkaran peeps at the Big Echo, Ginza

After the Karaoke, Tid, Jem, Orson, Justin and I checked out an Indian restaurant at Ginza. It was a bit pricey but had the best lamb curry I’ve ever had I so miss Prince of Jaipur back home.

After the meal at some Indian resto in Ginza

More pictures of the day’s happenings from Ramil and Orson

The week flew by so fast but it was a week well spent. So far one of the best weeks I’ve ever had. Looking forward to actually living life some more As for the rest of the week, who said you can’t live life to the fullest at weekdays?

Ang mga ka-kosa ko sa CELda, ang mga Batang RF Cage ay nasa Japan! Ano pa ang gagawin namin kundi maglakwatsa? Namiss ko na rin ang mga ito na kasama ko sa hirap at ginhawa sa thesis at pag-overnight sa lab Sino ang kumuha ng EPROM ko?

Batang RF Cage sa Japan!

Dahil geek kami, first stop, Akihabara, kung saan kumain kami ng steak sa Pepper Lunch at nagtingin ng kung anu-anu-ano

BRFC sa Yodobashi, Akihabara

Picture-picture on our way to the Imperial Palace to visit the Queen… errr, Emperor. Hahaha. Ang jologs namin pero ang saya!!!

BRFC at the Gyoko-dori Underground Gallery

Imperial Palace!!! Sa labas lang. Apparently twice a year lang binubuksan ang Imperial Palace, tuwing Birthday ng Emperor at New Year.

BRFC sa Imperial Palace!

At makukumpleto ba naman ang Tokyo tour nang di pumupunta sa Tokyo Tower?

BRFC sa Tokyo Tower (Well medyo sumisilip lang yung tower, hehehe)

Ito rin ang araw ng pagbalik ni Elai sa Tottori at hinatid namin siya ni Tinats sa Shinagawa. Awww… mamimiss ka namin, Elai! Balik ka, ha, o ako naman ang pupunta sa Tottori.

More pictures mula kay Tinats at Ed

Ito na siguro ang isa sa mga pinakamainit na araw ng buhay ko… Uhrrrm, as in literally mainit.  Ang naging trip pa naming gawin nina Tinats, Elai, Justin at Tid ay maglakad sa ilalim ng araw nang tanghaling tapat at tumalon-talon para sa mga jump shots. Wahahaha.

First Stop: Osanbashi Pier

Jumping me at the Osanbashi Pier with Minato Mirai's view as my background

Perspective shots

With my toys at the Osanbashi Pier

Yamashita Koen: Just passing by

Passing by the Yamashita Koen, grabe ang init talaga

Next Stop: China Town!

Honestly, I was kind of underwhelmed because of all the hype I have heard about the place. But Justin told me that there were no festivals at the moment and that China Town looked better at night so the usual shebang wasn’t there. I want to see the place in all its glory. Now I have an excuse to go back (at sana di na sa summer next time) and eat more dimsum!

Justin, Tid, Me and Elai eating ice cream at China Town. Thanks for taking the picture, Tinats!

We also passed by this Indian store at China Town and checked out a lot of queer stuff. Like, whoa! A Hindu shop at China Town!

Justin, Tid and Me checking out some musical instruments at the Indian Shop. And yes, there's Tinat's victory sign in the middle

Last Stop: Minato Mirai!

By this time, the sun has already practically drained me of my life force. Waaaaah, ang init talaga but after resting for a bit, more jump shots! Walang kapaguran ito!

Elai and I at the foot of the Landmark Tower, Japan's tallest building

The Landmark Tower, Japan’s tallest building was a definite must stop. Took more pictures while we waited for the skies to get dark. Minato Mirai’s view was said to be awesome at night.

Elai, Me, Justin and Tid at the foot of the Landmark Tower, Minato Mirai

Finally, gabi na, now we’re finally able to see the lights. Hehehehe. Too bad we weren’t able to go to the Landmark Tower’s top floor (more reasons  to come back, hehehe) but we still enjoyed Cosmoworld

Elai, Me, Tinats, Tid. Cosmoworld!

A very tiring but fun day. If you think the gimmick ends here, you are greatly mistaken. That night was also Laiza’s Sayounara Party and we have the host, Justin, hostage. Hehehe. Inuman naman! And yes, we stayed until the wee hours of morning. Best wishes, Laizee!

More pictures from Tinats, Justin, Elai and Tid. Obviously tamad ako kumuha ng pictures

Me in a yukata

The Kaladkaran gang donned in full yukata regalia for the Tokyo Bay Cruise

The tour gave a fantastic view of Tokyo at night and we were able to see the Rainbow Bridge up close.

(L-R) Elai, Apple, Me, Ish and Tid with Tokyo's night time view in our background

The crowd was lively, everyone was having fun and the Yukata Dancers sure did sizzle up our summer night

Yukata Dancer

Too bad the tour only lasted for 2 hours. Uber bitin talaga. Anyway, after the boat docked, the gang conducted around two hours worth of picture taking to  grab the momentous event of Kaladkarins in yukatas. Hehehehe. This is one night I’m sure I’d never forget

The gang inside the boat

More pictures from Tinats and Ed and a really cool video from Lau Salamat sa pictures at video, guys!

Spent one the busiest, most expensive, most tiring, practically one of the best weeks of my life last natsu yasumi (August 10 – 17). One week of not having to go to work and actually living your life – need I  say more? Yeba!

(Posted this blog kind of late. Had been preoccupied with so many things, too much  nyornyor and had been too lazy to write. Need some morale boosting… anyone? )

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August 10

Why so Serious?

Last minute shopping and Batman day at the Fuchu Toho Cinema with Tinats, Tid, Justin and Apple. My long wait for “The Dark Knight” to be finally shown in Japanese cinemas has finally come and am so glad that despite of the hype that usually makes me expect too much and ruins my movie experiences, Batman did not disappoint. “The Dark Knight” was lower on the action as compared with “Batman Begins” but has a way better screenplay that will hit you really hard and blow your mind away. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker was also his best performance ever and to me is the best villain the screen has ever seen. I can’t help to think how the hell he was able to internalize Joker’s sociopathic role. Awesome.  Truly deserving of an Academy Award. He has indeed gone a long way from “Ten Things I Hate About You.” Too bad he’s already dead ( Such a waste, really. Anyway, his legacy lives on. To me, he has proven himself to be one of the best actors the world has ever produced (so kids, lesson learned, DO NOT mix prescription drugs.)

And of course who wouldn’t love Sir Michael Caine as Alfred? I seriously wish that I have someone like him to talk to. Need someone to help me organize my cluttered mind, too.

Christian Bale? Also the best Batman ever and I’m sooo glad Katie Holmes did not go back for this installment. She would just be an eyesore. Maggie Gyllanhaal may not be the prettiest actress there is but she truly is a great one.

Hats off to Christopher Nolan! Would definitely watch “The Dark Knight” again and again. It just really sucks that movies are outrageously expensive in this country ( Anyway, for Batman, I would spare no expense. I just love dark and brooding men   Anyone who wants to go with me?  To watch The Dark Knight, I mean