A trip to Osaka for the World Track and Field Championships. Though Japan pretty much crapped out, I got to meet Asafa Powell, the world’s fastest man… saw the Osaka Castle and went to Kobe for some sights and original Kobe Beef – YUMMY!! It was SO hot but it’s such a lively and energetic city that we had a great time.

Check out the Photo Album.

A little cafe built into the 5th floor of this Aoyama building. Looks like it’s streetside on a small river but really it’s NOT! Designed by some famous child character animator, it has some real charm.

We opened the Just Do It Skate Park in Tokyo which gave me the chance to check off one of those “I want to do this in my life” boxes. Drop into a half-pipe on a skateboard. Let me just say, it’s higher than it looks when you get up their and it’s not as easy as Bucky Lassek makes it look. After some contemplation, i gave it a try, and another try and another and another. Bruised and battered, i’d like to tell you that i got it, but no luck.

SUMMER SONIC 2007. A huge 2 day music festival that attracts 200,000+ with bands like Linkin Park, Gwen Stefani and the Offspring. It was our first one so schedules were hectic and crazy so sadly, we missed a lot but just better learning for next year. I judged the Japan Air Guitar Finals which was a blast and we hung on the beach, listening to Sean Lennon as the sun set…

Finishing Brunch at the Yummy Dim-Sum Buffet with JiYoung’s Brother and Fiancee on their trip to Tokyo.

Some of the Korean Crew were in town so we headed out for some authentic japanese cuisine in Nishi-Azabu and some coffee at Chez Chow. It was great catching up and I look forward to the day when Tony finally gets married!!

On Meiji-dori, nestled between Harajuku and Shibuya, obscurely near the Tokyo Hipsters Club, I came across this tiny vintage shop – MARVIN’S!! Crazy. It’s the size of a small bedroom but PACKED with stuff. Worth a look :)

The launch of the Nike Tokyo Design Studio in Nakameguro. A small intimate gathering of 500 of our friends that included Nike VIPs, influencers from all over Tokyo and some select media. A fine time was had by all on this HOT evening and we are well on our way.

It’s finally here in Japan – TRANSFORMERS. We caught the 26:00 show on opening night/morning, August 4th. In the premium theatre where the seats are plush and the sound is like they’re in the seat next to you, it was amazing. The effects are mind-blowing but the storyline just blows. I think we’ve come to expect more from the men who created Jurrasic Park, Back to the Future and Armageddon. Either way, with two more to come, it’s just the beginning.