With all the SNS sites to update (Facebook, Twitter, MIXI, etc.) I always find myself thinking, "Oh yeah, I still have that ol' Xanga account.", and end up back here. Yes, my entries are quite spaced apart, but I'm hoping to get more hours logged in from now on. This past weekend, my guy and I celebrated our 10th year together...I guess it's quite a milestone in "gay" years. lol Still, I'm happy at the fact that I'm partnered with a guy that still serves my plate first when we eat out, that still says "I love you (too)." despite that fact that Japanese people don't normally share these customs, and that still asks me what I want to do first whenever we go out. (Of course, I always reply to the last one with, "Let's do what YOU want to do.",...and still get my way. lol This relationship's the longest either of us have had and now, with our cat, we feel that much more a "family" rather than just a "couple". I pray that all my friends and family are just as fortunate as I have been to find a true soulmate...here's to another 10!

Participated in a summer aerobics event yesterday down in Chiba; four male lead instructors and two hours of continuous hi & low impact choreography...FABULOUS! It took a while to get there from my place (almost 2 hours one-way via a combination of trains & a bus), but it was worth it!

My last post was about 3 months ago...so what's Catch been up to these days? Let's see... 1. Still keeping with the aerobics/yoga schedule (religiously), participating in events outside Tokyo here and there. 2. Koji's doing great; his culinary repertoire has grown immensely! (Which is taking a big hit on my diet. lol) 3. Koge-kun's maturing more and more each day; he's gotten used to various commands and has mastered the art of staying off the table during meal time. lol 4. Am down from three tanks to one little aquarium; only livebearers this time. 5. Got the new iPhone4 case from Mophie...thanks, Ceej! 6. Hooked on Ninjas Live...the only iPhone game I play these days. (sS clan rocks!) 7. Lovin' life as always, careful to count my blessings (even the little ones) each day. ...'nuff said.

40 years old...uuugggghhhh.

Hi, everyone! Guess what?!

After weeks of searching for a Filipino restaurant close by, Koji and I finally found a small restaurant just 15 minutes (by train) from our station. We were skeptical at first, because it was small (15 customers max), run by two Filipino women (one from Cavite & the other from Mindanao), and didn't have its own website, merely mentioned in someone's blog. The name of the restaurant was "Ate". Still, the menu had a good variety of foods so I ordered for the both of us.

- Kare-kare
- Pinakbet
- Pancit Bihon
- Acharang Papaya
- Rice

I wanted to order Sinagang and Dinuguan too, but there were only the two of us and we weren't sure of the portions. (Especially when I told Koji about the contents of Dinuguan, he said "Next time, I promise." lol) To our surprise though, for the low prices the portions were VERY big! (I almost wanted to ask for a doggy bag at the end, but Koji loved everything and we managed to scarf everything down. lol) Because it's so close, we promised to go back and try other items on the menu. The Kare-kare and Pinakbet were fantastic!

I was especially happy because Koji took a liking to everything we ate. In Tokyo, there are several Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian restaurants that we often go to, and I didn't want him to think that the lack of Filipino restaurants was due to a conflict with Japanese palates.

We were stuffed on the way home!

It's been a while since my last blog...a looooong while, in fact. With all the farm-type applications in Facebook & Mixi, I've been pretty much tied up planting seeds, raising livestock, and (re)designing my farm layout. (I was up until 6am this morning on Farmville...scary!) With "Sunshine Bokujo" in Mixi, the pressure of protecting crops and animals from thieves keeps me logging back each day, sometimes more than once (or 10 times). With Farmville, the constant vigil of the updates (i.e. Seeing who's giving away coins, animals, gold, or other goodies) keeps the excitement up; tending to the farm is the fun & creative part, I guess.

Anyway, I figured it's about time to log back onto my Xanga and leave a blurb...I'll be back soon.

  Looks like there's a new "i" gadget ready to hit the markets this spring...the new iPad. Yes, it's all nice & shiny...but is it really (I mean REALLY) worth it? Without flash, for example, Farmville & other similar online flash applications aren't accessible. Without a camera, chat is virtually limited to texted messages, a step backward. Without USB ports or infrared capability, uploading digital camera pictures basically translates to downloading photos into the iPad after uploading them from my digital camera to my PC...meaningless. Without true support for HD video, one might as well pop a DVD or Blu-Ray disc into their PC or disc player for quality videos.

What is going on with the guys (& gals, of course) at Apple?!

It seems to me like Apple isn't really thinking things through. I'm sure smart consumers will no longer be easily coaxed by shiny "i" carrots and will think more of the value of the product's features & functions, not merely the appearance of something "new". (In the past, downscaling from big to small used to be norm; funny, why upgrade to a heavy iPad when you practically get the same functions on an iTouch or iPhone?) They pretty much made the same mistake with their new iTouch...a faster processor and option for 64GB, but that was it. What about a camera?

Seriously, if Apple wants to retain their integrity and reputation, they should start producing "i" devices that offer something more than just looks.

*Of course, all the rumored specs are still just rumors...Apple, please prove them wrong.

PEDIGREE NAME: Charlie Brown (Taken from "charred" + "brown")

NICKNAME: "Koge" (Japanese term relating to the "charred" color or portions of toast, rice, mochi, etc.)

BREED: Abyssinian (Ruddy color)

BIRTHDATE: April 6, 2009

BIRTHPLACE: Chiba, Japan

We are proud to introduce the newest addition to our family...KOGE! 

Koji and I paid a visit to one of the few Abyssinian breeders near Tokyo, spending more than 2 hours playing with the roomful of Abbysinians. (There were a total of 18 in the household, 9 adults and 9 kittens!) Koge is the only male in a littler of 6. We were introduced to his parents; his mother a striking red Abby, and his father a handsome blue Abby show champion. We made sure to glean as much info as we could from the breeder regarding the care and keep of Abyssinian cats. He's set to arrive next month...can't wait!!!

Great news! K & I just moved to our new apartment building...less than 1 minute away from the station!  It took us a while looking at various properties and areas, especially because our conditions were so rigid: new apartment building, counter kitchen, genuine (not the "faux" vinyl) flooring, large floor area, etc...and most importantly an apartment building that allows pets! Yup, our next purchase is going to be one of the following:

a. one cat (Bengal or Abyssinian)

b. two cats

c. one cat and one dog

...we're SO excited!!!

Of course, we still have the aquarium(s) and all the fish originally bred in our older apartment, but we had to downsize, which meant giving Bu-chan (our beloved Pig-nosed turtle) away. Luckily, I was able to find an ideal foster parent, my co-worker who already owns his own aquarium and fish! I made sure to give special instructions on Bu-chan's care (eating habits, etc.) and sent web info as well. This way, I'll be able to keep updated on Bu-chan's growth and happiness.

Last weekend, after the initial moving was over, K & I spent the next day visiting home centers and shopping for all the goodies our new home needed...exhausting, but FUN!