Last week we got a cryptic text message in the falling snow. This week ran the full gamut from bitter cold to early spring.
On the docket was database design, architecture review and procurement. Sexy stuff, I know.
Procurement I hadn’t done in a hot minute. Sales calls are OK, I guess it’s nice to speak to people around the world? What pleasantly surprised me was how much I enjoyed the spreadsheet-heavy cost analysis & forecasting work, which pulled on a skillset I haven’t really exercised since stopping being a manager.
And it’s always fascinating/surprising just how many people don’t understand finance.
On Tuesday afternoon I received another text message from AG. Less cryptic this time: “MP?” Reader, what would you do? I have never said no to this request, and this was not my time to start.
We met at HUB for the customary pint and a jaeger-bomb and ended up in one of my favourite bars in kabukicho for nomihoudai, leaving in the wee hours of Wednesday after 13.7 drinks. Several Matts were involved over the course of the night, and TK later blasted us for not taking any selfies.
At this point I need to share an important lesson: We discovered that Jaeger bombs aren’t really a thing in HUB? You’re served a full pint of plain red-bull, which is not a wise thing to drink in the evening. I did not sleep so well.
But I survived, and Wednesday public holiday was spent doing UK life admin chores, made smooth by GovUK. Later I went to a little pizza celebration dinner in Mita, which ended in a different HUB. No jaeger-bombs this time: I’ve learned my lesson.
There was a nice leaving BBQ on Thursday in Ōkubo, which I was extremely late to. Meat wrapped in lettuce is hard to beat?
The latter portion of the working week was basically great, and I worked with a team to run two architecture reviews, which were successfully accepted. The Improve/Endorse decision outcomes combined with pre-review of ADRs seems to work across cultures for decision-making? I brought it from the FT: It seems to work irrespective of where you sit on the culture map, and the people involved seem to enjoy it.
Saturday was the 14th of February, or as it’s more commonly known worldwide, Trifon Zarezan. Unfortunately I lost most of the day indoors to non-movable building maintenance and pipe-cleaning. But in the evening I met up with DV for the customary wine and a long natter in a cool bar on the border of Setagaya.
Not a lick of English in that bar, so I was the bridge between menu, bar owner, and the other customers ~ all in crude Japanese. Small milestone, I’ll take it.
Sunday I hung out with many visiting Bulgarians including one of the owners of my former local pub from when I lived there! Somehow we checked-off a bunch of boxes from my Shibuya bucket-list including the Dogenzaka Church (novel and interesting, but maybe once is enough) and Rockaholic (verrrry good taste in music, will be back). This time we did take group selfies.
This week ran the full gamut from bitter cold to early spring. It was a lot but in a positive way: I had a great time, and am starting to feel spiritually replenished after the events leading into winter. And with spring coming, it’s almost time to leave hibernation. But first I need a nap.
