Completely engaging!

* Warning!! Super long image heavy post ahead!! *

We had a super busy weekend! It was our engagement party on Saturday night at Iseya and what a blast. Thanks to all that came and made the trek out to Kichijoji although I personally don't think it's that far from the so-called CITY, especially our out of town guests. The night started off slow at 7pm with the arrival of only Toshio and Emi - both talented artists. Toshio makes the most awesome animal figures that are now being sold in Japanese convenience stores and have been featured in newspaper ads too. We were lucky enough to score a smoking gorilla - sweet!! He also has owned an iguana for many years! So although there was only four of us - the staff started bringing out plates and plates of food for our total of 30 guests - that was weird! Guess you could call that good service.

Here's a photo of me, Emi, Toshio and Kyoko:

Point of realization

I guess I knew this all along, but (and this is in no way meant to offend the non-Japanese like myself) Japanese people are more reliable when it comes to parties - that's just the way it is. When they say they come, they come and when they say they'll be there at 7, they'll be there at 7. This reliability is what convinced me to only have Japanese roommates when I was sharing a flat in Brisbane.

So then the Kansai rock girls, Yellow Machinegun and their beautiful manager, Yoshi turned up. Now these girls not only know how to party, they know how to rock. They have been friends of Darin's since we first met at Kansai Gaidai over 10 years ago - Darin illustrated their first album cover - this review I linked is ok but I think they deserve more than a B+ (but I may be biased!!). Halfway through the night the girls surprised us with the most fantastic engagement present EVER!!

Here's a photo of the girls (minus tama) plus me and daz:

and, here's one of me and tama doing her best to make a silly face (she did a pretty good job!)

and finally one of me, daz and yoshi (I am sorry yoshi...this is a pretty bad photo). she really is beautiful.

So, what the hell did they give you (I hear you yelling from your computer)??? I guess our present might only be fully appreciated by those who have travelled in Japan, but it is so fantastic. Darin and I had made a trip last year to Kappa-bashi dori in Tokyo - this is where they sell supplies for restaurants including all of the plastic food they use in displays. We desperately wanted something but they are unexpectedly VERY expensive. So we went home, looking forlorn and without any plastic food. I guess we must have told the girls this story because we scored the best fake bowl of ramen and gyoza in Japan - it was even custom-made with our names written in Japanese and a little red heart. Thanks so much girls - you made our night!!

The ramen and gyoza

close-up of our names on the kamaboko (also known as fish sausage - yum!)

Here are some photos of our other fabulous guests:

the lovely and newly-married Claire (crafty, talented fellow Tokyo SNB pal) and Jess from NZ

Dan, Rumi and Alex

Daz, Kaori, and Hiroko

Martine and me

Josh, Simon and me (Josh, the famous owner of the fabulous Bondi Books in Kichijoji brought some great t-shirts for us AND a book about preparing for a healthy pregnancy (cough, splutter...!!) Oh yeah Josh you did ignore me at the hub and I'm still hurt by it!!!!

I have other photos but this post is already photo heavy - don't you love it!! Anyway after stuffing our faces and drinking LOTS of beer, a bunch of us party people headed to karaoke!!

Look at the light-up wall!! He so hot!

I think we ended up in bed somewhere around 4am - 6am! Woo hoo! At our age - we certainly suffered the next day, but we managed to find the energy to make it to a Yellow Machinegun show the next day in Shibuya - they rocked just as hard as the party did. Really - thanks to all of those that came and all of those that wanted to be there!! Love you!

Comments

[mkohpotts]

Love the plastic ramen... my husband has always liked the ones where the plastic food is pouring out of the bowl or being picked up with a spoon or something.

[erin]

I've always looked at the fake plastic food in Melbourne and wondered whether I could buy some.

I have friends who are convinced it's real food that's been covered in varnish.

[Bondi Bruiser]

I don't know how many bloody times i have to tell you that i didn't snob you. Honest!! I would never snob a cute brisbanian chicky babe.

And what are ya doing calling me famous, famous for bloody what, being a skinny snobby prick??

It was great to be there with you guys on Saturday night and i am sorry i was a bit late, shop duties, that karaoke place looks pretty wicked, i just wasn't up for karaoke the other night though sadly but i must say that i do rock pretty good renditions of Anarchy in the UK, Satisfaction and My Way.

Both Natsu and i hope you have a great wedding day / night in Thailand and spend plenty of time practiceing to conceive... :) hahahaha

[frangipani]

thanks for a bloody great night - and erm... sorry i was late (those pesky private students). i got some great pics too - your karaoke pics turned out great - wonder if that was wuthering heights i was warbling?

here's to a wonderful wedding party in thailand, and here's to a wonderful life for you and daz together! CHEERS big ears!

[jen s.]

Congratulations on your engagement! It looks like you had a great time!

[gleek]

wow! looks like a rockin' good time and that plastic food is pretty cool too. thanks for all the pictures! i love picture posts.

[frecklegirl]

Looks like a pretty rocking party- everyone is so beautiful too. :)

What is up with the baby references as soon as you get engaged. Slow down, people!

Your blue sweater/ wrap thing is gorgeous. I want to knit it.

[pixie]

Well, I have a comment about Japanese people! I also say it not wanting to offend anyone.

I went art school with many Japanese students, and HANDS DOWN they ALWAYS had beutiful work!! Now the more americanized or born in america ones didn't seem to have this talant so strongly, but I havn't recearched that fully... I digress...

Americans from a design perspective I don't find terribly sophisitaced. I can almost always tell you when a web site has been designed by someone Japanese or asian. I think that must be more about culture, along side of that is the reliability factor you speak of. They always did their homework to the nth degree, and always got the best grades. I think thats also about the cutlure but more about disipline.

I wish I was Japanese, I told my husband I want to adopt a Japanese baby lol..

okay im weird, so i'll shut up now.

[Niki]

What a fun night! Thanks for sharing, and again, congrats to you and Daz.

[nicole]

Congrats to you & Darin! Looks like it was a top night all round...and that plastic food is so cool. Best. present. EVAR.

[Amy]

Happy engagement! Ooh, the fake food is such a great present! I have a certain special someone who would really covet that. Have you ever seen the film Tokyo-Ga? There's a great bit showing artists making the fake food out of wax. It's amazing!

[pinn]

Ooooh... great engagement party! You look lovely and I love the karaoke place. Have to check out a Yellow machinegun gig sometime, they look awesome.

[jitty]

OMG you look so skinny!!!!! Seriously, whatever u r doing in between gorging yourself on turkey, is working :o
Great present!!!!

[jitty]

OMG you look so skinny!!!!! Seriously, whatever u r doing in between gorging yourself on turkey, is working :o
Great present!!!!

oh, i see now. its a chicken :P