Akemashite Omedetou!

A Christmas/New Year's visual mash-up! (Bonus and selected parent copies below, or check out what you missed.)

Yume and Pops.

Rollin' in a limo.

O-shareta!

Vampin' on New Year's Eve.

Super freakin' cute!

Sugar castle, go!

We young-uns three.

I get my game on, courtesy of The Legend of Drizzt board game, with old pal, Aaron, and his two boys, Keith and Garret.

Fuji-san peaks above the clouds beneath the wing as I return to Japan.

And so, from us to you, may 2012 be a blessing; full of peace and joy!

Merii Kurisumasu!

Yume comes to enjoy Christmas with the fam; her first trip to America.

Even Quinto, our dog of 14 years, got in on the festivities.

Stockings (and a kiss)!

Happy face, GO!

Quinto takes a peak.

Dad (button-up), Yume (hoodie), and Trevor (wool cap) sport their new duds.

Then it's off to Union Square in San Fran!

We stop to take pictures in front of the tree…

…and with the world's largest rainbow-clored angel (or mascot for the Gay Pride Parade)!

But this tall drink of water took the cake for the evening. If you ever have need for a five-course dinner, song/dance/acrobatics/stand-up/cabaret-style extravaganza, the Teatro Zinzanni in SF is the place to be!

And that's not all. Stay tuned for more!

Fire in the Sky: In Celebration of Salmon

What if Alice had remained in Wonderland?

I present you with Exhibit A:

I am the Pumpkin King!

And a suitably eerie sunset to boot!

Happy Halloween!

Bali: The Adventure Continues

More Bali pix comin' at ya!

Kuta Beach:

When in a place called "paradise," one would be eternally remiss not to dine by candlelight on the beach at sunset.

Front and center for oncoming dusk.

Our drinks arrive…

Happy grin!

Ditto.

…and then din-din; freshly selected from ice chests and seawater baths at the front counter!

Foolin'.

Pretty.

And the sun dips ever lower…

…until it's gone…

Hey babe! Guess what? Next stop: water slide park!

Waterbom Park

Fuuuuuuun!

Oh, yes.

It's amazing—the shots one takes of oneself when on vacation. :p

And how could I leave you without the most signature aspect of Balinese culture:

Selamat detang!

Random Thought of the Day: Critical Life Lessons

You know how you may have developed habits in your life, ones that people don't necessarily know about, and even you don't stop to recognize them, or where they come from sometimes? They're the kind that usually stem from some horribly bad experience that left you feeling numb and a little bit hopeless about the fate of humanity. It's the lesson you remember, and not often the catalyst. But today, I remembered the catalyst for one of mine.

I have an unspoken rule. I don't just go to the movies to go to the movies. I know this. I don't have to think about it, it's just the way it is with me. Be it with friends, family, my girlfriend—whomever! Doesn't matter. I'm not going to the movies unless I really want to see something.

Why?

Years ago, I once went with a bunch of people to see a movie the day it came out, not really because I wanted to, but because that's "what was going on." Since then, I have established my rule. The movie was, Dude, Where's My Car?

Penny for your thoughts.

Make a wish

Yume turns 26!

"O-tanjoubi omedetou, Yume-chan!"

"Whew!"

Adventure to Bali

It was five days at the end of September. Yumeko and I ventured to the remote paradise of Bali. My first time to this exotic isle in the Indonesian archipelago, and Yume's first time out of the country, period. Seeking sun and sand; salivating for food and fun; hoping for sight and sound; and banking on rest and relaxtion. These are many of the things we saw and did there.

Yume's cherub features loom anxiously ready before the plane we would board for the very first flight of her life.

She marvels at the heavens as we reach cruising altitude.

I marvel at her.

We stayed at the Aston Kuta Hotel and Residence, one of the newest and poshest hotels in Bali. The staff was very congenial and helpful, never second-guessing the fact that our trip together was a romantic getaway, and they did their level-best to make sure we didn't leave unsatisfied.

The inner courtyard view from our bedroom window.

But we spent no time in getting out into the island proper. Our first foray was a taxi-sped afternoon into Central Bali, the productive heart of the island and its people.

We eventually reached a large house and temple grounds where silver ore is processed into decorative pieces and jewelry.

Interior of the silversmith grounds.

We were even treated to a brief tour as we observed a craftswoman at work.

The neighborhood around the silversmith was also full of fun and amazing architecture.

A picture taken from the taxi. I love this one because it looks like the statue is firing a glowing orb (that is the sun) from its outstretched arm!

A Balinese warrior-god poses mightily, serpent wrapped around his legs and all, amid the buzzing traffic.

A gentler work of art.

Later that same day, Yume and I relaxed for a three-hour session at a couples' spa.

Sure~! "Coconut-oil scalp therapy."

I guess that's what they call water torture these days.

Steamy, to say the least. :p

Next time, we'll head out onto the beach, and see some of the more distinctive colors and flavors of Bali!

Until then, I leave you with a panoramic view of the bustling commercial face at the center of every hot tourist location: