VACommuter's Shenanigans in Japan

I had this fried rice ball stuffed with cheese.

I went traditional with a big plate of skeddy.

My buddy had the squid ink pasta. I’ll pass.

Then wife had pork pasta in a truffle cream sauce. I assisted in the finish.

Then I ate this entire margarita pie.

Finished the feast with two huge scoops of ice cream with hot blueberry sauce. I was stuffed. Need to hit the gym today.

Sunday morning penance for my food debauchery. 45 minutes on the elliptical.

An hour of body pump. Might have burned off one course.

So finally got the little bike running. The battery died during the cold weather here. It was the battery that was in it when I bought it so no history on it. Pulled the battery and charged it successfully in the apartment. When I was reinstalling the battery I dropped it about a foot or so on the hard floor. No crack or anything but ever time I tried to start the bike shit went south and the one fuse on the bike blew. Pulled the battery and tried to charge but wouldn’t take a charge. Rode up to NAPS today and bought a new battery for about $130. Was a bitch installing it. Cuss words were uttered but got her done, replaced the fuse, and she started right up. Good lord I’m a horrible wrench!

Bad wrench? ...might not be all you.

This winter season I've replaced two batteries, one in my Tacoma and one in the KLR. For both vehicles the engineers have clearly figured EXACTLY how much battery cable is needed just to reach the terminals...both would have been a lot easier with an extra ONE HALF INCH of cable.

For the Tacoma...the lack of cable means that when you buy a standard battery...it fits the space, but Toyota in it's wisdom specs a battery that has "reversed" terminals...so you have to go back and buy a special battery so the cables reach. Of course, the flipped terminal version was not on sale.

Japanese Shenanigans.....

Navy Supply Corps Ball tonight. I'll put some oil in my beard, some wax in my stache and squeeze into my tuxedo. This will be my third one here in Japan.

Started the night with an hour of cocktails and lie telling.

Made our way to the dinner table downstairs after several mai tais and rum and cokes.

The usual party favors. A cedar box for sake drinking, a fancy commemorative coin and a headband.

Not surprising there were few beards present.

One of my guys and his wife at a neighboring table.

Commanding Officer wrapping up his opening remarks.

A small salad.

I opted for the mahi mahi.

Me and the Operations Officer. He’s a Harley rider but still ok in my book.

Wife of our reserve affairs officer modeling proper technique of the headband. Kimonoed lady behind her. Many of the wives of the Japanese military who were invited wear traditional kimonos.

Ceremony where hammers are wielded to break open the sake barrels for the toasts. USMC was toasted twice!

Very fancy cake presented in front of the 7th Fleet band.

Nothing left but my cake remnants. Another good time full of pomp and circumstance.

Enjoyed homemade ramen and goyza while watching USA take the gold in curling.

I love the pic of you and wife ! { Melinda } Right?

Dats right!

Absolutely raining cats and dogs this morning. My KLIM suit kept me toasty and dry. I was worried because I had the zipper replaced by KLIM after I broke it on the COBDR, but she performed well. Whew! Heading over to my wife's work area this morning. She gets her 30 year service pin today.

Congrats to Melinda !

30yrs... Dang! Cool! Please tell her congrats .

Not served on 14 March but wifey is good for a ribeye whenever asked. This one is smothered in sautéed shrimp.

Friday night out with the boys. Not our toilet, indeed.

Rockem Sockem minions.

Many Orion’s slain. An Okinawan brew.

Served in cans with ice frosted mugs.

I channeled my inner @Creekgeek

Eating Messican.

We don’t need no stinking badges.

Hungry hippo the adult dare version.

Hiro enjoying his taco.

Time for karaoke at a hostess bar.