what happened in 2007?

lest my readers fear that i dropped off the earth for much of 2007, i assure you i was still eating japanese food.

let's say i was actually in japan, serving as a friendship ambassador to the small city of shimada, located in shizuoka prefecture. let's say the vertically-challenged mayor of shimada hit on me in between sake factory tours and formal multi-course kaiseki dinners. let's say i had to dress up in traditional wedding wear and pose for ridiculous photos.

let's say i toured kochi and ehime and kyoto and took the bullet train to tokyo and actually partied with the locals. let's say the harajuku girls have nothing on san francisco girls. let's say i have a new appreciation for shochu cocktails and karaoke.

let's say i understand the difference between japanese food as it's served in japan, and japanese food as it's served in western countries. and still i want more.

itadakimasu!