THE BAD

2006: The Bad

I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention...

The list: I thought about it, but then I decided not to post them. As a list. Because it was kind of depressing making a list of things I was unhappy about in all of 2006. Let's focus on the good! At least, publicly, let's.

So, gotta get some work done today before Countdown, but

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
See you again in 2007.
And don't forget to check Spinshell.TV and click on the banners! (for me, do it for me!)

May 2007 bring peace and happiness and health to you and those you love,
Miss Ai

THE GOOD

Look Bud, it's almost the new year!!

2006: The Good

-Always the good, my boys. They bring me so much joy that it's difficult to articulate into anything more wordy than this sentence. ADORATION.



-Performing at a fashion show collection, then being part of an art exhibit. I love being center stage (see: Life of Ai).

-Shinonome. The move to the bay side. The bachelorette pad. Point of social interaction. Home.

-Music. Writing songs, rehearsing, singing, performing. The journey of compressing experiences into 3 minute stories. Doing what I thought I wanted to do when I was 10 and being right about it. Still wanting to do it. Having a real plan about it.

-The Website, The Company. Expressing the above in a 2-dimensional way, visually and on paper. Having a good business partner. Having good people to work with. Having smart people to work for. Having mean people to deal with (just as useful). Having creative people to throw around ideas with. Meeting exciting people while working. Getting (good) ideas while riding the train to work. Having an SBUX at the station where I transfer (thank you GOD).





-Japanese cousins in Tokyo.



-Metpod.

-Ninapod.



-Mexico, Seattle, Psychsville, Tokyo. Where people that I love live.

-Tokyo, where I love to live.

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2006

Rice vinegar and soy sauce spear ribs, yuzu miso mashed potatoes, baby greens with avocado, cranberries and parma ham (これって 生ハム？？) tossed with apple vinegar. Wine. Strawberries for dessert.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

These boys bring me so much peace and joy.
Wishing you peace and joy in your life, this and every Christmas.

XOXO,
MISS AI

ROSE GALLERY

A half a dozen roses from the best rose shop in Tokyo, Rose Gallery .
Five years ago, I was the lucky first-time recipient of Rose Gallery roses. These roses are perfect, I mean it. They are long-stemmed, don't bloom right away (quite important!) and makes a girl's day super special. This time and last time I received different roses (this time was Peter Frankenfeld, a vivid pink and elegant, subtle fragrance; the time before were a mix of deep oranges, yellows and red, making my room smell of a rose garden). Last time they were from a boy, and this time they were from The Actress. Classy!

BROADCASTING TOKYO TO THE WORLD

It's UP!

Don't miss Ninapod's article on this week's You Should Know, and for any information that you think should be included on the first print-it-yourself English magazine in Japan, "Spinshell Recommends" or the Events page, mail me here, baby! Comments, feedback and suggestions very welcome (*^ _ ^*)

Keep checking back for the video page because it will be AMAZING.


XOXO,

Miss Ai

Foreigners in Japan

Basically I spent this summer compiling a city guide (in English) on restaurants, bars, cafes and other neat places in Tokyo. This fall my staff and I spent day after day solidifying this city guide. This winter, we'll launch the site it will appear on. What will happen to this city guide is that it will be a foundation for the first all-English video channel in Japan. It's on the web, and you can watch Tokyo, the real modern-day this is what's happening these are people that make this city unique this is the most exciting city in the world Tokyo. And because it's on the web, I hope we can open many more doors than just having a city guide next to the tv channel. Anyway, first curtain to open is for the city guide, and this weekend was spent learning html and becoming friendly with Dreamweaver. Soon, readers, this website will open. I am pretty excited!!
Just a few more days to go until the first launch... And then I want to go to a ski & onsen resort. For reals this time. But I have a feeling it isn't happening again this time (;_;) Well, good things happen to those who wait, right?? Hopefully.

NAKAYOSHI

Nakayoshi（仲良し）means being good friends.
These boys' best friends are each other, which might possibly the happiest thing for a mother to know.



Handsome Chu Chu.



Notice the mohawk!





They are really nakayoshi.

SUNDAY

It's purrdy out there.

OUISTITI

Ouistiti
Originally uploaded by missai.

From now until the 28th of December at popular gaijin hangout The Pink Cow in Shibuya, there is an exhibit by photographer Toshi.Ota and illustrator Keeda Oikawa called "Mixed 2006"-Ouistiti-, oustiti apparently a phrase often used by the French when taking pictures. This is a mixed medium (photography + different forms of illustration and sometimes collage) that uses mixed people as subjects. From toddlers to grown-ups, from Japan to the Congo, the photographer and illustrator pair found mixed people from around the world, took photos of them and even videotaped short interviews with each. At the exhibit during this time, you can see all the different art works as well as the video installation.

Ninapod and I were lucky/ happy participants of the project. We went to the show yesterday and we couldn't believe what we saw... In addition to a great portrait they had taken/ drawn, they had mixed the Tokyo city view from our house with the Seattle city horizon!! So it was like a brand new city that we were living in. The illustrator had never even been to Seattle but she researched photos for this purpose, and really nailed the buildings and the atmosphere of the Seattle skyline. It was amazing. I'm going to be selfish and just talk about that one here but, take my word for it, every piece had a story waiting to be read. On the 28th there is even a special closing ceremony; maybe we'll see you there★

PREPARATIONS

preparations
Originally uploaded by missai.

Where to put what?
If you've got a clever little sister like me, you can just leave it up to her.

CLEAR SKY

clear skies December 2006
Originally uploaded by missai.

The clouds cleared and left the sky and her reflection a crisp blue.

STAR

Christmas 2006
Originally uploaded by missai.

The star of the night, 10-month old Y. Doesn't her back and profile say so much? She was round, smiley, hungry, sleepy, curious, coo-y and gorgeous.

CHRISTMAS 2006

angelgirl
Originally uploaded by missai.

This year we won't be making it back east for Christmas (;_;).
Sad.
But being in Tokyo during this time has its perks, too. Like cousins' parties, which takes place today. While I type, Ninapod is preparing our dishes. I'm training her to be a better Little Sister. Just kidding!

These are Italian wooden bell ornaments, hand painted with little angels on each, from little K last year. The colors are beautiful. Peek-a-boo, says one.

THREE GENERATIONS

lightgeneration
Originally uploaded by missai.

Three generations sit behind a lighthouse candle. The candle was a gift in our stockings last year at the McP's house, a different design in each. Santa has very good taste.

PEEK-A-BOO

bearcat
Originally uploaded by missai.

Says another, a kitten (one imagines) behind the appearing-for-the-fifth-year-in-a-row Christmas Santa Bear. Medium: Magic marker on paper plate, circa 08/2006.I better start helping.

MORNING

morning
Originally uploaded by missai.

It was a black and white morning here at Shinonome Hills.

FREESCAPE

freesscape @ baron nishiazabu
Originally uploaded by missai.

My friend Emi of Freesscape performed a fantastic show at The Baron in Nishi Azabu tonight.

Out of the three foreigner-frequented hangouts with live-stage outfits I've checked out recently (Rock Factory, Cozmos Cafe), The Baron had the best sound, stage and bar (wine, over 3 drafts, tapas).