This is a cool (and hot) clock from Phiria Design that I had to share. Enjoy!
[via Asiajin]

Our first snowboarding trip to the famed Sapporo and it was a blast.  AK, Minni from Korea, JiYoung and I headed up for a weekend of snow and fun. It was definitely a little more cold than we’re used to now, but clearly we bundled up and braved the elements with Nike technology and one big lamb scarf thing!!  Personally, I had a mini-triathalon of snowboarding, surfing and eating… my body is so sore, full and feeling ill.  See all the pics here.

Yes, i have to admit that it’s totally random and pretty damn cool at the same time.  Basically was supposed to have dinner with AK and Kiyonaga-san, then AK called to say he was bringing some more people and that Eric wanted to buy me dinner!!  Eric Clapton is in town touring… he and Hiroshi-san wanted to join in… so we all ended up at Hama for some delicious Teppenyaki.  Basically, in some way or another, they are all friends of Nike and from the Music biz and Tokyo 80′s scene.  Honestly, it all happened so fast that I just went with the flow.  And for thos who know me, I have a pretty firm rule of no fan pictures in situations like this – sorry.

But we had a seriously nice evening.  The guys told stories and I tried to play Fly on the Wall as much as I could but couldn’t help but chat it up a little (no surprise to those who know me).  Some highlights included:

• Talk about his Family, lovely daughters and life in his hometown in the outskirts of London.
• Exploring the prospects of possibly playing a gig in North Korea and how shady that can be.
• Movies:  EC voted for Walle in the Academy Awards and thought Benjamin Button was solid but a little over-rated.
• His love for a good suit, fashion and Hermes couture.
• What life was like touring now.  He’s in Japan for a month playing 11 shows.  His “friend” Mark Knofler, the guitarist from Dire Straits just played 60 shows in 60 days and is over 60!  Tough!

As i said, it was indeed a wonderful night.  He is such a nice, down to earth guy – as you’d expect.  I have to admit, in my work and life, i get to meet a lot of interesting people/celebrities/athletes … but meeting Eric Clapton was one of the more special one.  For god’s sake – he sang my High School Prom song – “wonderful tonight”.  Crazy!!!  Thanks AK!!

It’s the new year and time for us to head to a temple and return the good luck arrow we got last year.  We headed to Meiji shrine, one of the main and bigger ones in Tokyo.  Very cool as the sun goes down and very crowded.

In Japan we have these crazy loud and bright Pachiko Parlours.  Some form of legalized gambling that goes on with older men, women and gangsters throughout the country.  The best way to explain it is as a combination of pinball and slots.  The chance to win lots is there but after our first excusion, we find it very hard to believe (or at least extremely difficult).

Some random wall on Cat Street in Harajuku where you can draw what you want and it stays up their temporarily.  Interesting..

JiYoung at the Tokyo Institute of Technology to take her BIG Level 2 Japanese Test.  This is the day when every student from around the world takes the test for their Japanese accreditation.  Then after the test, even though it’s multiple choice, they make you wait 2 months to get the results.  So annoying!!  Good Luck!!

Fraser and the crew at the 2009 Club World Cup where Man U walked away champions!!

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