Koji and Nami visit Toronto

Koji and his wife Nami were in Toronto for a wedding and I got to spend so much time with my buddy from Tokyo.

We went to one of Koji's favourite places in Toronto, the Steam Whistle Brewery. The last tour of the day was sold out so we decided to just hang out and have a beer. I told the staff of Koji's fondness for the brand and the distance he had travelled and the next thing we knew we were on the catwalk pulling the whistle.


Here are some pictures with captions:

Paul And Koji having a beer at the Black Bull on Queen W

Me, Marc and Koji on the patio of the AirB&B  

another sweet view of Toronto from Koji's temporary pad

Marc, myself, Koji and Nami outside the Steam Whistle Roundhouse.

We had a beer with this Ojiisan.

Nami and Koji have a sample of Steam Whistle

I forgot this guys name, but he took us through the brewery
 just so Koji and Nami could pull the whistle, he rocks.

Nami and Koji in beautiful Mississauga

Koji finds a piece of home, the TakaraTomy factory is
in his neighbourhood of Tateishi. 

Gone Japan'n

Hey, I'm in Tokyo Japan, and I have a special blog, just for my trip. Please check it out by clicking this link:
Sukiyaki Poutine

double cheese deluxy excited

Please Click Here to check out my Movember page! I'm growing hair on my upper lip to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer.

Denison Ave, My old street

Yesterday I was productive and set up some postcard blog posts. They will go up every morning for the next week. I really like this Street Cents postcard I got way back in 1994. It felt good to have some posts up. I have to stick with it, I have been getting more and more hits on the postcard blog. It's important to post regularly, and I've been terrible at that.

I should mention I'm going to Japan next month. My good friend Koji is getting married! If you haven't met Koji then your life is missing a small chunk. We met while working for the Evil Hollister Corporation. Koji was in Canada on a working holiday, and while here we became good buddies. He came to visit my hometown of Timmins Ontario with me, a memorable road trip. He said he would like to show me his hometown one day, which just happens to be Tokyo.
I went ahead and booked my flight last night. I figure it's not getting any cheaper the closer we get to Christmas. I got a good deal on Air Canada. I will be there for Christmas and New Years.


I told Koji that I had booked the flight, to which he replied: "I'm double cheese deluxy excited!!!!!!!"

I need to go to the gym tomorrow, no excuses. I'm not fat but I'm getting a little belly.

I also have to learn some more Japanese. I took an introductory course a few years ago but I'm rusty. I don't want to look like a tool. I remember how to say "No I am NOT an American, I am a Canadian" but beyond that I'm going to have to study up.

Koji is Here!

I waited for Koji at the airport. He laughed when he saw my sign. We took the Bart to Powell Street and walked to the hostel he had booked. We cruised back to the Mission and went to Mike's place first for a few beers. We went to Matt & Kubi's after, hung out for a bit then Koji went back to his room (he's tired).

Mike and I are going to City Hall tomorrow. I'm going to be deputized so I can perform the marriage(which I plan on finishing writing tomorrow).

Deputy Sunny J

I woke a little late. No time to get breakfast at Sweet Chinito, I didn't even have time to hit the bong before Mike swung by to pick me up. We went back to his place and I made coffee with a splash of Irish to get my day started.

V and Mike with the license that isn't official till I see a wedding

Mike, V and I went to San Francisco City Hall to get a marriage license and for myself to get deputized so I can perform the ceremony. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to guard against enemies both foreign and domestic, so if terrorists attack the wedding I am the first and last line of defense. Mike said I looked like i was really getting off on the oath. it was really cool. I am now a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for the County of San Francisco (for a day).

I always thought we would be getting married to

 each other, but they don't do "those" kind anymore :(

We picked up Koji at his hostel and we went back to Mikes place to have some beers and greet people as the arrive. I was so happy to see Mikes mom France, she is awesome. Koji Mike and I went to Taqueria Cancun for burritos. Koji looked impressed, and said it was better than any he had tried in Toronto. I feel bad that Koji is only seeing the inside of peoples apartments but until the wedding stuff is done I can't take him on any tours. We are going to try and do Alcatraz, or something cool as soon as we can.

YYZ to SFO

Once again  I'm blogging from the Air Canada lounge, drinking a Crown Royal and Ginger Ale (Canada Dry, of course) waiting for my flight to San Francisco. You know for an unemployed guy I sure do get to do a lot of traveling. My reason this time is noble, I will be performing the ceremony for my best friend Mike and Vanessa's wedding. I am starting to feel the pressure. I have to write the entire thing and I'm not done yet. It will be ready, I'm just feeling the stress.

Today was very busy trying to get all my shit together before my flight.

I went to the gym this morning to try and suspend my membership for two weeks which I thought I could do, but can't. I wish I had called first to find out if it was possible cause I wasted some precious time.

On the way back from the gym I picked up a special gift for Koji, my good friend from Japan who will also be attending the wedding. Mike and V both met Koji in Japan at my insistence and had a great time with him in Tokyo. I'm so excited to see him and show him around my favourite place in the world, San Francisco.

I finished packing up my bags and went to the bank to get some American currency. The line up was a little long and the time spent got me panicked enough I took a cab to the airport instead of the TTC. I wish Toronto had a direct train from downtown to Pearson, IT'S 2010! Get with the new millennium. 

I really can't stress how excellent Air Canada's service is, and the lounge provides both comfort and class. I'm the luckiest unemployed guy in the world. Now I must close up my computer because I think the soup is coming out soon and I want to have a bowl before my flight.