The view from my RACA Sydney room

My host family roommate, Ham Young Woo

We were outside Taejeon in the summer of 1973.

Nanbokusen ni noritai

LOVE, IT'S EVERYWHERE!

The Indian Kokopeli

In the hotels in Mumbai there is art everywhere. The halls of the first floor of the ITC Marathra had folk art posters with scenes of village life. In the middle of many of them is a person playing a flute that looks remarkably like the Pied Piper of the Southwest United States - Kokopeli. Coincidence?

The instrument is called a sha'nai. I searched for one on this trip, but couldn't find the time to get into a music store to buy one. Next trip. It'll be a good addition to my Izu musical instrument collection.

The typical sha'nai band has two flutes, cymbals players and a drummer playing a dullard (sic). A bit like a Japanese Chindonya; they play at parties and celebrations. We'll need to get one for the launch of our new indices.

Indian Friends

I had spent three days talking to fund managers and investment banks in Mumbai with staff from MCX-SX. Ranjan C. is head of research and dead keen to get the indices up and running.

Giacometti, Rothko, some woman

This is one of the best photos I have taken with my NEC mobile phone. A couple of my favorite artists and some woman...

I won't win any photo contest, but I sure am happy about it.

I wonder what Joel would say?

New Year's Blessing at Sensoji in Asakusa

This year, despite being My Year - the Tiger, is actually a "yaku" year for me. So when we went to Asakusa for the annual blessing, I paid extra to have a ceremony to bless me to prevent any bad things happening. I hope it works. I also picked up an amulet for good travel. Even though I have $1,000,000 worth of insurance with IAPA, you never know if an extra Buddhist blessing won't prevent a disaster! Anton and Thor like getting their fortune told. They are both Kichi. Figure it out!

Warhol, Hoff, Monroe

Not a bad combination in Izu...

Bowling for Fun in Ukiyama at DHC

Anton won.

He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

Anton showing off his muscularity and dominating his brother with a show of prowess on Christmas in Izu.

My Shadow

My shadow popped up on a Gaudi door at the Ikeda 20th Century Art Museum. Cute cowboy hart!

Let's go bowling, Dude!

The Hoffs went bowling at the DHC Bowl for Boxing Day fun. Anton was hot. Thor gave Anton a final challenge. There were quite a few gutter balls. When the Tokyo American Club reopens with a new bowling facility we'll all have to go there and practice.

Boeuf Bourguignon for Christmas

I made beef bourguignon for our Xmas dinner. I could have gone with a turkey, but wanted to try my hand at proper French cooking like Julie Childs or her blogging cook Julie. Other than our oven's tendency to only produce a 375 degree temperature, it turned out fine. Slightly different than Julie Powell's, but a winner nonetheless as I made it on my first try. No vodka tonics for me.

Guests were the Ownes, Chureis, Hoshis and Tsunaoshis. We drank a dark Barossa blend called Maverick with it, and later swam in the chocolate Christmas cake the Owens brought. Delish!

Christmas Eve Hoodies

Not exactly Santa's elves...

25th Wedding Anniversary

We had a party at the Tokyo Club. Lots of old friends showed up and Thor was wearing a new suit for his first outing at the Tokyo Club. Thanks to everyone for their gifts.

James Capel Christmas Lunch in the City

At the George and Vulture we listed to Robert's account of his beer business. Lunch finished at 10 pm on Jermyn Street...

My Hats

Everyone likes to try on my Akubra Stylemaster hat. At dinner behind London Bridge and Southwark Cathedral in the Wright Brothers Oysters and Porter Restaurant Nick Collins popped my hat on our waitress Marta's head. She has lovely Lithuanian green eyes. Maybe Nick's back there now looking into them....

Hong Kong

Naomi went shopping in Mong Kok. She actually prefers a wholesale district further out with more beads and clothes.

This one's for Eldon

One of those domestic moments when you are moved to action.

ASFA Conference in Melbourne

I got up and danced with the singer and was the hit of the night!

Such a nice birthday party...

with Julie and Natalie from the FTSE Sydney office.

Beijing

I was in the Chinese capital again this month. There are still the normal street shots of Chinesey buildings and then the outrageous sight of modern buildings! This one is more outrageous because it was set on fire by the building next door with their fireworks. In typical Chinesey confrontational negotiations the issue of blame and recompense will take a long time.... The top floors were to be the new Mandarin Hotel in Beijing.

Soon it's Halloween

And I've got the pumpkins following me....

I was a guest chef in a trendy restauarnt in Hong Kong's LKF

I made a gumbo with lots of good stuff like crab, prawns, oysters, sausage and a nice dark roux. Friends showed up to join me for dinner.

Jim had seconds.

The W Hotel provided me with the outfit.

It's only been twenty years since I invited Bill the first time

But suddenly he accepted. And on 9 October 2009 Bill drove down to Akazawa with his wife Michiko to spend a night and have a Hoff bbq, hot bath and tour of the local sites. Since they are considering building a Lindal house, we visit the Owens' place as well.

Come back soon, Bill!

Dinner with my son Anton in SF

I was in town for a day to see how he's doing at USF. I took him to North Beach for a steak at Joe Dimaggio's. I had steak, and he had veal. Both were excellent.

Roman Stopover

I stopped in Rome for Adrian and Kuki's 25th Wedding Anniversary. They had the party at the Hassler Hotel whose president is a school friend of Kuki's. I had a nice afternoon walking around Rome. I love the Pantheon.......

Peace Corps Korea Frisbee at Chuncheon Dam in June 1973

Maine!

Fire hydrant family.

Dining with friends

It was fun seeing the Bogins, Russell Levine and Tom Knapp while I was in San Francisco. We'll be seeing more of them, I'm sure.

Thor's Bicycle Trip to Izu

Thor and some of his ASIJ buddies tried to bike to Izu at Obon. They only made it to Odawara. But they took the train to Izukogen so they could party at the Hoff House in Akazawa. What's in the jello, boys?

Taking Anton to USF

Anton checked into USF on 17 August. We spent a couple days buying stuff for the dorm, setting up a Bank of American savings and checking account, buying the latest iPhone from AT&T and hanging out at the W. The W had a car service which made it very easy to haul stuff over to USF from shopping on Market Street - and it was free!