tokyo marathon: the before

Tomorrow is the Tokyo Marathon featuring my cute husband... and 30,000 other runners.  Running is really big in Japan.

We headed over to the expo the other day where, as you might imagine, there were a plethora of photo opportunities.  Jeff and I took advantage of several of them.

At the booth of the official photographers of the event.  Ever the fashion plate, he matched the background.










Tired after such a long run!

Hopefully that will be his time when he crosses the finish line for real!









Yet another finish line photo. I think this is supposed to be the time of the top finishers or something.


We also got our picture taken at the Nike purikura booth.  Japan has taken the art and fun of photo booths to a whole new level, and such entertainment is deemed appropriate for any and all occasions.



Tonight he's been preparing all his stuff for the morning.  We had a little fashion show.

His racing outfit...

With the 100 yen shop arm warmers (which may or may not be leg warmers) and hat he'll wear at the start if he's cold.  (He'll throw them away when he warms up.)






Ready to go with the poncho and rain pants (also from the 100 yen shop) he bought in case it's really nasty in the morning.  The forecast is still for rain. 



If you're interested, you can track his splits in real time (starting at 7:10 p.m. east coast time) by visiting here and entering his bib number: 22494.  He should be done about 10 p.m. 

Disclaimer: The website is all in Japanese. I have been assured that all one needs do is type those numbers in a box.  Let me know how it goes. 

He's gonna do great, I just know.  Now I just have to plan my cheering route!

Gambare, Jeff!!

Mata ne,
Melissa

good day sunshine

Today's forecast for Syracuse, NY:
(courtesy of weather.com)

Cloudy with temperatures steady near the low 30s. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snowfall of 1 to 2 inches through 10am.

Don't worry, it gets better...

Winter storm warning for Syracuse, NY until 7 a.m. EST Friday.  

 [That's Friday, for the record.  Not Thursday. Winter storm warning through tomorrow.]

Snow will become steadier and heavier this morning across Central New York and Northeast Pennsylvania. Expect snow, heavy at times this afternoon and tonight. Snowfall rates will range from 1 to 3 inches per hour late today and this evening.  By the time the snow tapers off late tonight storm totals of 12 to 20 inches will be common.

That blue up there, in the weather.com satellite picture - that's all snow.

Wow.  Be careful out there.   Get out the warm blankets and locate your flashlights, just in case.  My prescription for a day like that: a bottle of red wine and a good book.

In other news...

Today's weather in Tokyo, Japan:

63° F and SUNNY. 

My prescription for a day like that: iced caramel soy latte and a good book.

Sorry if the picture is a little bright. It really was that sunny.

I can't say I'm missing the Northeast right now.  I know I'll be buried in it with you next year, so I'll enjoy this while I can.  Of course, as Jeff keeps reminding me, it's supposed to rain for the next three days.  And Sunday is the Tokyo Marathon in which he is running.  Neither of us are excited about that.

I did make a really good sign for him though - it's waterproof.

Gambare!!

Melissa

good view, great martini

When Aaron, Jeff and I were on our quest for a view of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo after our failed attempt at a good glimpse up close, we took several ear-popping trips to the highest floors of almost every tall building in west Shinjuku.  Many of these buildings are fairly unspectacular themselves. 

We did, however, visit one building which may be a little more exciting to the viewing public.  The Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel.  It's where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters meet, and where the New York Bar is, where Bob Harris sips his Suntory and one can see the Shinjuku Skyline. 

Normally, ¥1600 is a bit steep for a drink, but I ordered the martini, and let me tell you, it was worth every penny.  Do not, DO NOT, order a martini anywhere in Japan unless it is in the New York Bar.  Pay the premium and sip slowly while enjoying the view of my new city.  Take the risk somewhere else and you will be disappointed.

The bar was quite dim, but we took a few flashless photos (lest we appeared to be tourists - along with EVERYONE else in the bar) to document the evening. 

 

Tip: Enjoy the New York Bar before 8 p.m.  After this time, they'll sour your martini with a ¥2000 per person cover charge.

 

See that very small bowl of nuts and wasabi peas on the table?  It was free.  You bet we ate five of them.  Had to make up for the ¥1600 drinks somehow.

Mata ne, 

Melissa

Editor's note:  Jeff did not change his outfit during our visit to the bar.  He was wearing the blue jacket over the plaid shirt, even though you can't tell that at all from the second picture.