GAH! Could this chair be any hotter?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Get your stink on
I love you Rob Dyrdek, but this time you've gone too far. There's a line, and you've crossed it. I know you're a fame-hungry wannabe mogul, but putting your face of a can of B.O. basher isn't going to make you bigger than Tony Hawk - we're just going to think you stink.And now you can smell like Rob Dyrdek too.
TAG body spray have released a celebrity range including Dyrdek and rapper Ludacris. The whole idea is a bit of a joke really - trying to make some money off low-end celebrity stank (yes, I know the Britney/Mariah model works, but they're marketed to chicks). Except some marketing execs out there obviously took the idea quite seriously, and pushed it into production.
Dyrdek's fragrance is called 'Make Moves' (sooo Dyrdek). I would have preferred 'Do Work' - much more appropriate for a Dyrdek spray on shower. But maybe Big (you remember him - Dyrdek's rent-a-friend who got the chop when he wanted bigger things) would want a cut?
The scent is described as fresh, unconventional, unprecedented & unique. So I'm still not quite sure what it smells like - top notes of Red Bull perhaps? Whoever wrote the scent description copy should be shot. In fact, I bet Dyrdek wrote it himself and thought it was hell funny - which is half true but only in the I'm-laughing-at-you-not-with-you kind of way.
Either way, they're media buyer must be moonlighting as a comedian - banner ads running on SlamXHype, right next to Comme des Garcons. Boom tish.
Osaka: Damn you tiny feet!
We survived the typhoon. It ended up being quite a nice day. But instead of taking in the cultural surrounds of Hiroshima, we decided the only thing we could do after being blasted with rain the night before was going shopping in Osaka. We checked out Denden Town (electronics area) first, and then wandered through Namba where there's a giant mall that's more than 2km long. Needless to say I behaved myself and didn't buy anything.
But the desire to seek sneaks was overwhelming. After we picked Ash from the hotel, I took the crew to Fight Club.
Which turned out pretty rad for Glenn - he scored a pair of Laser Blue Air Max 90s. SO JEALOUS. They only had one pair in a US10. Damn you tiny girl feet! I didn't by anything. 
Then I took the crew on a bit of a wild goose chase to find the Osaka Skit store. I knew roughly where it was, but not exactly. I asked for directions here and there along the way, and I knew we were close. After walking a bit too far along the right street, we finally found ourselves at Skit.
It was almost as good as Tokyo Skit. I still didn't buy anything. So we took silly photos instead. 
And the Man Mountain was tired...
So we turned back, and headed for the hotel. Along the way we found another sneaker store (I don't know the name). They had something that nearly made me cry. A pair of Ferris Bueller Dunks in a men's US10. See my sad face? That's what happens when I don't get what I want (ie men's US7-8).
Still, a good day was had by all. And now I'm mad excited for what sneaks might be found in Tokyo...
But the desire to seek sneaks was overwhelming. After we picked Ash from the hotel, I took the crew to Fight Club.
Which turned out pretty rad for Glenn - he scored a pair of Laser Blue Air Max 90s. SO JEALOUS. They only had one pair in a US10. Damn you tiny girl feet! I didn't by anything. 
Then I took the crew on a bit of a wild goose chase to find the Osaka Skit store. I knew roughly where it was, but not exactly. I asked for directions here and there along the way, and I knew we were close. After walking a bit too far along the right street, we finally found ourselves at Skit.
It was almost as good as Tokyo Skit. I still didn't buy anything. So we took silly photos instead. 
And the Man Mountain was tired...
So we turned back, and headed for the hotel. Along the way we found another sneaker store (I don't know the name). They had something that nearly made me cry. A pair of Ferris Bueller Dunks in a men's US10. See my sad face? That's what happens when I don't get what I want (ie men's US7-8).
Still, a good day was had by all. And now I'm mad excited for what sneaks might be found in Tokyo...
Sometimes I forget how funny I am...
I've been writing a lot of postcards while I've been away. And one slightly stoned evening in the Netherlands, I devised a little game to amuse myself, using postcards. I found the most weird/lewd cards I could find, and sent them to my friends randomly (I turned them face down addressed them, so I wouldn't know who got what). Mookie just got this one:
Read what Mookie had to say about it here...
Read what Mookie had to say about it here...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Well Dressed Bloggers
The boys at Well Dressed Vandals have a new blog. Clicky here.PS: They need to get some girls tees stat! Hint, hint :)
J-Dizzle has a blizzle
My boy J.D. writes stuff. Go and show him some love. Click here.
PS: Love ya guts Spesh. Miss ya heaps and we gotta catch up when I get back. Have a sneaker comparison dance off or some shit xxx
PS: Love ya guts Spesh. Miss ya heaps and we gotta catch up when I get back. Have a sneaker comparison dance off or some shit xxx
Osaka: Raining one day, typhoon the next
We left Kyoto and headed for Osaka on the bullet train.
On the way my poor bag broke. The entire wheel ripped off (but the wheel was fully intact). In the end it was lucky we saved the wheel (so I could DYI it back together).
Josh saved the day and carried my bag through at least 3 stations and 2 train changes. The Man Mountain is a genuine legend (thank god he was a bit tipsy)!
When we finally arrived at the station near our hotel, we discovered the weather had turned quite nasty - a typhoon in fact. Having never experienced a typhoon before, we discovered this means really windy rain. 
It's sort of funny because one minute the rain is belting down in every direction and you're soaked, then the next thing you know the wind is blowing so hard your dry again. Luckily our hotel was right next to the train station.
We were planning to travel to Hiroshima the next day, but the weather was really wild so we decided to cancel in case. We were all pretty exhausted from a long day, so we got some food and hit the Zzzzz...
On the way my poor bag broke. The entire wheel ripped off (but the wheel was fully intact). In the end it was lucky we saved the wheel (so I could DYI it back together).
Josh saved the day and carried my bag through at least 3 stations and 2 train changes. The Man Mountain is a genuine legend (thank god he was a bit tipsy)!
When we finally arrived at the station near our hotel, we discovered the weather had turned quite nasty - a typhoon in fact. Having never experienced a typhoon before, we discovered this means really windy rain. 
It's sort of funny because one minute the rain is belting down in every direction and you're soaked, then the next thing you know the wind is blowing so hard your dry again. Luckily our hotel was right next to the train station.
We were planning to travel to Hiroshima the next day, but the weather was really wild so we decided to cancel in case. We were all pretty exhausted from a long day, so we got some food and hit the Zzzzz...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Kyoto: Memoirs of 2 Geishas
On our second day in Kyoto, Ki Ki and I decided we'd like to experience what it's like to be a Geisha firsthand. We booked a Maiko (which literally means apprentice Geisha) makeover at Yumkoudou, which is essentially a place where you are dressed as a Maiko in full make up and kimono, and then you have photos taken.
With the help of the concierge at our hotel, we booked an appointment. Yumekoudou is located in the Gion district (the Geisha area - think 'Memoirs of a Geisha'), and our concierge gave us loose directions on how to find the shop (Japan can be like that - unless you have someone who knows where something is located exactly, you generally get pointed in the right direction, and then you have to wander around for a while looking for a sign). So off we went, not really knowing where we were going or what might happen.
We wandered around, asking a few locals the location - and everyone kept pointing us towards the same direction. Eventually we found the street we thought it was on, but we could see a sign or anything remotely related, aside from a Geisha shoe shop where the old man who worked there had no idea. Eventually a young chap in a cafe literally lead us by the hand to the street behind the one we were on, where we found the sign for Yumekoudou.
Inside the traditional street frontage, we found ourselves in a traditional paper and wood walls. We rang the door bell, and were ushered inside, and son discovered no one spoke English (from then on we knew this was going to be a fun day!). After a lot of gesturing and a conversation in broken English over the phone, we were ready for our Maiko experience. Here's our before photos:
First, we were asked to use the bathroom. We soon found out this was because once you're wrapped up in a kimono, there's really no easy way out if you need to pee (which made me wonder how the heck someone can stay dressed like that all day long!).
Next, we were shown into a change room where we were given white wrap dresses and sock-shoes with separated toes to wear during the makeover. We were asked to take off all our jewelry - but Ki Ki's piercings couldn't come out! They said that was OK though. And they were quite taken with my tattoos which were mostly covered by the kimono in the end.
Then we were taken upstairs to the dressing room. We were asked to choose a kimono - they had so many colours! Ki Ki chose her fav - purple - and I chose a colourful blue one. They carefully laid the kimonos out ready to dress us after our makeup was done.
We were seated in front of mirrors where makeup was applied. A sock was placed over our heads to keep our hair back. Layers of white and pink cake makeup were applied to our faces and and low onto our necks. Then read eye shadow, black eyeliner and mascara was applied to our eyes. And finally, red paint was applied to our lips. We looked whiter than Casper at this point.
Then we went back to the dressing area. Kimonos are made of several different pieces that layer over the top of each other. Different layers of kimono were draped and fastened with fabric ropes over each of us. Ki Ki looked lovely, but I instantly looked like fat Geisha - mostly because big boobs do not equal svelt Geisha figure.
The last part of the transformation was a headpiece. The headpieces they use are the complete package - hair & accessories.
Finally we were ready to have our photos taken. With the full get up, it was hard to recognise myself at all! 
We were taken into the photographic studio, where they had various sets that were dressed in traditional Japanese style. Ki Ki went first. I think she looked so beautiful, like a real Geisha.
I, on the other hand, was not only fat Geisha - I was round eye Geisha. My big blue peepers really don't help the overall look!
After our photos, we mucked around and took silly photos while we waited to be undressed. We played Geisha monsters and dropped a bunch of scissors and peace outs!
It was amazing to experience how complicated Maiko dressing is. All the layers are so heavy, it would be so difficult to dress like that everyday. But the end result is so beautiful - all the amazing fabrics and colours. And I suppose once upon a time Geishas had a sort of celebrity status - I have to admit it was quite glamorous to have someone dress and make you up that way. I wish I had someone to dress me everyday!
Undressing and cleaning off the makeup takes quite a bit off effort. Once all the layers were off, we both looked like lunatics who'd escaped the asylum. Of course this gave us perfect photo opportunities!
The whole experience reminded me how much fun it is to dress up. It was an amazing experience and the photos we have as a memento are really special. Go Kim Chi power!
With the help of the concierge at our hotel, we booked an appointment. Yumekoudou is located in the Gion district (the Geisha area - think 'Memoirs of a Geisha'), and our concierge gave us loose directions on how to find the shop (Japan can be like that - unless you have someone who knows where something is located exactly, you generally get pointed in the right direction, and then you have to wander around for a while looking for a sign). So off we went, not really knowing where we were going or what might happen.
We wandered around, asking a few locals the location - and everyone kept pointing us towards the same direction. Eventually we found the street we thought it was on, but we could see a sign or anything remotely related, aside from a Geisha shoe shop where the old man who worked there had no idea. Eventually a young chap in a cafe literally lead us by the hand to the street behind the one we were on, where we found the sign for Yumekoudou.
Inside the traditional street frontage, we found ourselves in a traditional paper and wood walls. We rang the door bell, and were ushered inside, and son discovered no one spoke English (from then on we knew this was going to be a fun day!). After a lot of gesturing and a conversation in broken English over the phone, we were ready for our Maiko experience. Here's our before photos:
First, we were asked to use the bathroom. We soon found out this was because once you're wrapped up in a kimono, there's really no easy way out if you need to pee (which made me wonder how the heck someone can stay dressed like that all day long!).Next, we were shown into a change room where we were given white wrap dresses and sock-shoes with separated toes to wear during the makeover. We were asked to take off all our jewelry - but Ki Ki's piercings couldn't come out! They said that was OK though. And they were quite taken with my tattoos which were mostly covered by the kimono in the end.
Then we were taken upstairs to the dressing room. We were asked to choose a kimono - they had so many colours! Ki Ki chose her fav - purple - and I chose a colourful blue one. They carefully laid the kimonos out ready to dress us after our makeup was done.
We were seated in front of mirrors where makeup was applied. A sock was placed over our heads to keep our hair back. Layers of white and pink cake makeup were applied to our faces and and low onto our necks. Then read eye shadow, black eyeliner and mascara was applied to our eyes. And finally, red paint was applied to our lips. We looked whiter than Casper at this point.
Then we went back to the dressing area. Kimonos are made of several different pieces that layer over the top of each other. Different layers of kimono were draped and fastened with fabric ropes over each of us. Ki Ki looked lovely, but I instantly looked like fat Geisha - mostly because big boobs do not equal svelt Geisha figure.The last part of the transformation was a headpiece. The headpieces they use are the complete package - hair & accessories.
Finally we were ready to have our photos taken. With the full get up, it was hard to recognise myself at all! 
We were taken into the photographic studio, where they had various sets that were dressed in traditional Japanese style. Ki Ki went first. I think she looked so beautiful, like a real Geisha.
I, on the other hand, was not only fat Geisha - I was round eye Geisha. My big blue peepers really don't help the overall look!
After our photos, we mucked around and took silly photos while we waited to be undressed. We played Geisha monsters and dropped a bunch of scissors and peace outs!
It was amazing to experience how complicated Maiko dressing is. All the layers are so heavy, it would be so difficult to dress like that everyday. But the end result is so beautiful - all the amazing fabrics and colours. And I suppose once upon a time Geishas had a sort of celebrity status - I have to admit it was quite glamorous to have someone dress and make you up that way. I wish I had someone to dress me everyday!
Undressing and cleaning off the makeup takes quite a bit off effort. Once all the layers were off, we both looked like lunatics who'd escaped the asylum. Of course this gave us perfect photo opportunities!
The whole experience reminded me how much fun it is to dress up. It was an amazing experience and the photos we have as a memento are really special. Go Kim Chi power!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Kyoto: Let's get cultural
As they say, when in Rome (or Kyoto as it might be), you gotta get down with the local culture. Here in Kyoto is first time in my entire trip that I've really gone out looking for cultural sites.
Last night, defying jet lag, we went for a walk to the edge of the Gion district and then out for dinner to a rather expensive and underwhelming traditional style restaurant in Kyoto (it did have a pretty view of Gion though). But they put Poh's presentation to shame:
Then today (after a slow start which included Josh and I snoozing an hour through the alarm to be woken up by Ki Ki banging on our door) we decided to hire bikes and ride around Kyoto. This turned to be a fantastic idea:
We rode to the Imperial Palace - unfortunately we couldn't go inside because we didn't have permits (you need to pre-arrange a permit if you want to visit) but the outside was very impressive:
We found shrines:
Ate even more at a secret spot Tadaaki told me about:
I got cosy with a big boy:
Ki Ki found her ultimate ride - a purple taxi:
We visited Kinkakuji - the golden temple:
We found more shrines:
Sexy Grimace went to McDonalds:
We found Hatori Hanzo's shop:
Then we dropped the bikes off, and the had some bevvies at the hotel:
...While I had some snooze time. I'm still so jet lagged. Wahhhh.
Last night, defying jet lag, we went for a walk to the edge of the Gion district and then out for dinner to a rather expensive and underwhelming traditional style restaurant in Kyoto (it did have a pretty view of Gion though). But they put Poh's presentation to shame:
Then today (after a slow start which included Josh and I snoozing an hour through the alarm to be woken up by Ki Ki banging on our door) we decided to hire bikes and ride around Kyoto. This turned to be a fantastic idea:
We rode to the Imperial Palace - unfortunately we couldn't go inside because we didn't have permits (you need to pre-arrange a permit if you want to visit) but the outside was very impressive:
We found shrines:
Ate even more at a secret spot Tadaaki told me about:
I got cosy with a big boy:
Ki Ki found her ultimate ride - a purple taxi:
We visited Kinkakuji - the golden temple:
We found more shrines:
Sexy Grimace went to McDonalds:
We found Hatori Hanzo's shop:
Then we dropped the bikes off, and the had some bevvies at the hotel:
...While I had some snooze time. I'm still so jet lagged. Wahhhh.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Kyoto: Jetlag is a bitch
I have a mean case of jet lag. I'm in Kyoto, it's 4.36am, Josh is snoring his head off and I'm trying to think of ways I can punish him. Maybe I can make a video of him when he's snoring to loudest and post it to Facebook. But that's hardly retribution for me spending 3 more nights sleeping in the same room as a sledge hammer...
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