My gamemates, the amateur lexicographers

Was gleefully digesting the Collins Initiation Kit (courtesy of SA, membership that is rewarding, now for life) with my gaming-mates on Friday at our usual hangout.

I was gleefully pointing out Malay words like KUEH, ROJAK, MEE, (and slang like MOFO, ALF, BOI, BOYF etc) and they start heckling the book, arguing over the words and the language. So much for winning them over with the new dictionary. If people quibble over the dictionary, they will never pick up Scrabble in my opinion.
Wonder what Rob Street will think when he sees the Collins Initiation Kit.

PS: am typing out the 1856 game log for last Friday.
Will put it up soon (as in sometime next week)

I have no Second Life

So much for registration, payment details, 30mb download, installation.
When I started the thing......an error message pop up saying that my graphic card is incompatible.

AAAARRRRGGHHHH!!!!!!

I got to get a Second Life

Surviving the KTM: a guide

If I don't post this now, it will never get published.
You are on your first Malaysian night train trip. you have purchased your sleeping bunk ticket, which nets you this if you chose the lower bunks.
(and no, this is not my bunk, it is the one opposite mine)








and this if you chose the upper bunks, more head room but tighter space to cramp into.













Now this is my bunk (after 10 seconds of renovation). Note that it does have enough space for 2 people to do privy things but not enough privacy to do it anyway. (At least the sound of train tracks will muffle the sound of it anyway, unless your legs stick out at the wrong angle through the curtain)







As you can also see from the follow up picture. It is also right next to the doorway. If you have to choose a doorway bunk, choose the number closer to 1 because the door is automatic and will close itself, sparing you the torture of listening to the train tracks all night long. If you get something closer to 40, then bring along earplugs to prepare yourself for the monotony of train tracks when the door stays opens (Unless you are the kind soul who gets up and opens that door every 20 minutes to go the lavatory in the next coach)

This is roughly what the train corridor looks like. Curtains for privacy but they won't hide the fact that you will have a big luggage that you cannot fit into your bunk (Although I have seen a lot of people actually do that and sleep with their legs propped up. Probably let's the brain gets more blood circulation, but I digress)










Your wonderful window that you can open to let in the cool night breeze (or to let out that freezing aircon blast, whichever way you want to use it). Just be prepared for pesky mosquitos when the train makes their stop. (Also convenient to dispense of your condom)








Normally, most people sleeping on the lower bunks would store their shoes beneath their bunks. But this is a no-no, in my opinion, because anyone can walk off with your spanking new Hushpuppies or Jimmy Wongs. (but then again, the person wearing those shouldn't even be travelling on the second class sleeping bunk). So, the alternative is....





Storing them in your bunk as well (at the other end of the bunk, so you won't smell your days old foot odour).










And what do you do to prevent people from rummaging your knapsnack if you are a sound sleeper like I am (most of the time).















Adopt the X leg posture. Make sure your bag pouches and zippers are facing the wall of the bunk. String one leg through the straps and cross the other leg above it. Any attempt to move or open the bag will result in one of your legs flying through the air at the curious actor.

Dude! Where's my signal?

Okay, basically Andy and I went to the train station where we sat until 9.45pm-ish before someone blew the whistle off that I had to board the train. Went through Malaysian immigration and custom (Andy noted that how can I have entered Malaysia when I haven't even exited Singapore per se? I will leave that to the lawyers) and dropped onto my bunk immediately. Honestly speaking: I spent the next 1 hour waiting for some incoming train to arrive in Singapore before the $*^(@#$*%!(@#*%^# KTM finally started the train.

For the next 30 minutes we trugged slowly through Singapore deserted nightlife before arriving at Woodlands. Immediately cleared Singapore immigration and started doing funky things on my mobile phone.

First thing first, locate Malaysia mobile phone signal (Since we are only less than 5 kms away). I started using my mobile phone as if some divining rod, while setting the mobile network selection to Manual and start walking around the building (while everyone else is congregated at the exit as you can see from this photo)

Okay, near 1st lavatory door (Maxis signal: 1 bar)
Water cooler (Maxis Signal: 2 bars)
Moving on, just outside ladies toilet entrance (Maxis Signal: 4 bars, wowee!)
too bad I can't plant myself there trying to access my Maxis network.

Go out toilet, walk underneath windows (Maxis signal: 0 bar, 1 bar, 0 bar, 2 bar, lost 2 bar, back to 0 bar all the way)
Go to building 1-way exit into Singapore (Maxis signal: 0 bar, 0 bar, 5 bars?!, lost 5 bars, can't recover 5 bars). Moving on.
Walk around chairs (Maxis signal: blip, 0 bar, 1 bar, 2 bars, 1 bar, 0 bar, 3 bars) Stay!
This puts me approximately in front of 5 people next to a pillar, all staring at me as if I am some kind of freak.

Okay start typing out text messages and send them ASAP. While my mobile phone is queueing up 12 messages or so and sending them, I lost the signal. So repeat the pattern.

Walk around the wall (Maxis signal: 0 bar all the way)
Walk around the windows (Maxis signal: 1 bar, 0 bar, 2 bars) Stay! 2 messages sent.
Lose the signal, walk 1 step (Maxis signal: 2 bars) Stay! another 2 messages sent.
Lose the signal, walk another step (Maxis signal: 3 bars) Stay! another 5 messages sent.
Lose the signal, walk around (Maxis signal: 0 bar)
Continue walking 1 step at a time (Maxis signal: 0 bar)
Went back to outside ladies toilet entrance (Maxis signal: 1 bar) Somehow, 1 message gets sent somewhere along the way and in the process I bump into a lady and apologize profusely.

Okay, lost my manual network tracking screen. Back to setup.
Setup done, back to divining for network signal.

Hey! 1 more message sent! 1 more to go!
Okay, walk around the chairs and pillars (Maxis signal: 0 bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, what the heck, 0 bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, what the f***?, 0 bar, 0 bar). Walk off.
Try stationmaster's office (Maxis signal: 0 bar).
Try fire hose reel (maybe the metal might repel and enhance the signal? Maxis signal: o bar)

Try holding mobile phone close to the ground (about 1 foot off the ground) in hopes of catch low-lying signals.
Back to the windows (Maxis signal: o bar, 0 bar, 0 bar, 2 bar) Stay! maintain posture.
Can't maintain posture, stand up and bend down again (Maxis signal: o bar)
Move 1 step (Maxis signal: 0 bar)
Move another step (Maxis signal: 0 bar)
Can't maintain balance, fall onto floor in a heap.
Get up look at phone: last message sent. Yay!
Then inbox get crammed with 5 replies.
Look at Maxis signal: o bar (HOW?!)

Mutter a few expletives and decide to do the rest once we cross over into Malaysia.
(This whole episode took about 25 minutes)

And they still haven't open the exit.
So, what do you do with a camera phone.
Take pictures, dummy!

First thing, I took a photo of?
The sign to your right.

Civil disobedience is so good.












Continuing on the photo blitz, I decide to take this photo of their surveillance camera, just to see if they would really come and confiscate my phone since I am photographing their security system.

Just when I took it, the doors opened.
So I quickly rush out and back onto the train to stop them from confiscating my phone.

On the train, saw a few Singaporean officials walking around outside the platform but they probably can't find me since my bunk window is facing the other side.

2nd Best at LBH Cup

A.K.A How I blew my chance to win the thing

Game 1: Jason Toh Kok OnnOpen with COINED (24 ,keeping I). Balanced my second rack with FABRI(C) (26, keeping TK), also with an eye to extend it to with -ATING or ATION at some later point in the game); which leads to two interest options for 4-timers when Jason plays GAN. I opted for (B)EaKIEST for 102. Slowly pulled away with optimal scoring, including an nice GALORES for 75. Endgame scenario: he with AEEIRR? for flexibility while I can only get rid of the P and W from my rack of IIOOPRW to conserve my spread gain. 474-301

Game 2: Liew Kian Boon (the new kid from the blockers)
His opening of FERRY (30) allowed me to overlap AEON (17) on top of it and he maintained his lead untilhe began fishing, allow me to land back-to-back aUDILES (69) and (E)sOTERIC (93) to jump to a 155 lead. He replies immediately with INANEST (67) to cut if back down to 88 but I tightened the board up that I drew the J (which I managed to dump) and the Q (which he managed to stick on my rack) to whittled my spread. 419-340

Game 3: Tony Sim
Tony opened strongly with HEFT (20) and ANKLE (29, hooking (HEFT)E) while I play through consonant heavy drek like PENN(E) (10) and RECC(E) (18). I then strike first blood with SYRINGE (85, hooking (HEFTE)S*) because I chickened out of GREYISh for 88. Tony then punished me with BILTONG (87, in the same column as GREYISh before landing dEWIEST (92, hooking (SYRINGE)S). I was playing catchup until LEAFAGE (69) put me in front by 13 points and I managed to save my lead to win by 9 points. 412-409

Game 4: Ricky Purnomo
He starts out being FAWNY (36), so I tried to RIP (15) him off but then he saw the TAR(IF)F for 24. Then I laid down an OESTRAL (74) and he was LULLED (24) by my QI (24). Dumping a N(E)MN (8) against my JE(W) (35), he silenced my challenge of his PROTeST (73+5, hooking (NEMN)S, which I challenge). I LUG (14) his DIVA (14) around while she RETCHES (76) and he says CIAO (18). I gave him some ZEIN (41) and he offers me a MArIGO(L)D (72) flower that I AXE (43). His UKE (42) was (T)OUGH (30) but I said NO (22) to his NIDI (46-> 0, after challenging the phony hook MAKI*). So he la dee da DI (12) open a triple lane where I DERIVATE (89) a victory and draw the last W for WRETCHES. And then he had to be such a BACON (24) to block that spot, while I grew some YEWS (23) in a nearby column while he watches his IO (11) to go out, letting me BE. 486-371

Game 5: Chia Cuo Cong
I exchange the whole of my first rack, giving him the opening move of BOXY (32) which I overlap with ANOA (28). He gets down MITOGEN (69), which gives me VIRE(M)IA (39) through his M in the triple lane. 2 turns later. I close the gap with S(T)UDIoUS through his T only to see him play (F)INALIZe (107). Did a few setup plays with CURIE (30) and YA (42) which hooked POXY and CHAYA but I can't close the gap. 347-452



Game 6: Marcus Goh Kim Leng (Andy's groupie #1)
Let's see: XENIA (40) was learning how to be on top of JUDO (34) while her companion was reciting an ILIAD(21), which unfortunately turn out to be full of PORNOS (34+5). So with a little DIVI (15) and some PL(ODD)ING (26) of my (J)UICER (30), he had to (C)EDE (18) the lead to my ANEMO(N)ES (72). When I saw his KETO (22), I AVOW (30) to avoid him trying to F(R)Y (18) me with my GRISTLE (84+5). He then had to find a place for BITO (27), but not in my ZO(O) (32), and some much needed (LA)V (12) before I CUSH (45). He then sHATTER(ED) the tranquility of the board, while my W(A)QF, while he wryly says: "this is supposed to be MY (29) game if I can find the niner". Well, it is too bad that I cannot stand the sight of BEAR(s) (21), even more so when they are dress in TAR(T)ANES (57) since it is not in their GENU. 418-366

Game 7: Hubert Wee
He exchange 4 tiles, letting me open the game with FIGO (16). He scores with HERBY (33) while I find TINDERS (75). He then phonies with MISOWN(E)D through the E of HERBY, which I challenged. Thinking that he had nothing with the E, I played EXON (44, H1) opening up the triple lane. He didn't think so either (we find out that MID(T)OWNS was playalbe through the T of TINDERS after the game) so he opted for WO(O)D (31) while I find the aesethically pleasing ACAULI(N)E (72) through the N. He tries to hook SIMLINS to it (making ACAULINES*), which I challenge off. After my next move of QAT (28), he finally plays LIMIN(E)SS through the E of EXON for face value. Towards the end, he managed to capitalized on the J twice for a total of 56 point, dangling an L in the triple lane. I chickened out of (L)EADWORT and just played of (A)WA and get rewarded with N? which comes in handy to bingo pORTEND (73) of his opening of HI. He overlaps DUALiNS (68) but I finish my tiles before him. 493-430

Game 8: Andy Kurnia (AK-47, cheap but deadly)
(He starts)
Exchange 7.
Exchange 7.
Exhcange 1.
QIBLA (52)
ANTISERA (82) and we are off.

After his WAB (31) blocks the A for my DOP(A)MINE for a possible 76 points, I opted for IMPoNED (74), forcing him to score with HEFT (54), which somehow fits into my plan for my next rack of (T)RIGON-I-C (86+5). No place for my next rack, DEALATE so I played DEAL (28), forcing Andy to go up for PEEOY (43), while I play LATEX (57, for turnover and to kill several bingo line) instead of AXE (56). Andy then opens up with EVOKES (38) while I dismissed GOUSTI(E)R and just payed GOUTI(E)R (27). I dump CRL and he throws AIOI to balance our racks and I scored with FUSING (30) killing the last easy bingo line only to draw to my D: EUDRW?, which can be played through a N and an E on the board to form U(N)D(E)rDREW.

Oh, what ectasy to see a nine letter bingo through two separate letters.
Oh, what amazing chance to be able to play such a move.
Oh, what brags I could say about that move.

And Andy just had to play ZA(N)J(E)RO through the same 2 letters, dashing any hopes for me and sparing my audience the torture of my ravings and rantings. So, we wrapped up the game in the next 4 moves. 452-413

So end Day 1 with 7-1. I am still living up to my expectation as Day 1 runaway. Just have to see how spectacular tomorrow's crash will be.


Game 9: Quek Sim Ho (I have an appointment at 6.30pm so we play tomorrow => rats, no free ride from Tony tomorrow. Yes, Tony: you were right, Quek s***wed me)
I openly appealled to a QADI (28) because of Quek's KH(I) (20), but only got some GAM (25) that Quek manage to JUT (30) on my WIG (23) and used that for a very qUIETED (86) move. I decide to F(U)ZE (36) instead of F(U)ZEE and Quek grew some CLOVES (62), which I found to be very good because they were of the (C)URNIEST (83) genetic variants. He then YELP (29->0, phoney hook (KAT)E), so I BAA (17) in return before he got very TYPY (33). My (T)RANNIES (77) took the LIFE (23) out of him, and we talked about the DWAUM (31+5) and DOOL (19+5) before I took my CORNERS (69+5) ahead of his now unplayable AEROGEL. He broke that up with AGO(N)E (24) while I drew EIIIOR to my ? and decided to dump the excess IIO back into the bag as he found a ROON for 28. I drew AXE for an AXE(L) (27) before he BA for 26. I drew back the IO and a V for a cache of IVORIEs, earning me 75+5 and the last tile in the bag, a H. He had enough of this PINTLE (38+5), to which I just replied: "EH?" (18). 526-399

Game 10: Lim Li Wei (aka "I must win this to win the tournament")
He got down C(O)PERING on his 3rd move for 90 points, forcing me to play STY(G)IAN for 45 on the triple lane to catch up. I immediately drew both blanks but can't capitalized on them to score with iNDOLEs (72). He gets down another bingo, AURATES (75) and I am down by 72 points. He then proceeds to block the floaters I need for CALEF(I)ED and ESCALA(T)E so I cannot mount any comeback. Then he exchange 6 tiles (including the Q, X and 2 Is) into the bag, allowing me to pick up TIN to my CASE, after playing HAZ(EL) (34) to cut his lead down to 3. He doesn't block the remaining bingo line, which lets me play CANTIES(T) (76) and I managed to draw the correct tiles to the Q and X such that I cannot be stuck with either of them. The best quote for me was watching alpha mutter that he can trap my Q before I pointed out that QU can go down onto two separate As on the board (maybe I should have kept quiet and watch him fumble his clocked into overtime). 416-391

Game 11: Victor Chua (Andy's groupie #2)
I went fishing for a bingo, while Victor is so RELiANT (81) and a bit DOnSIER (74) that my SPANIEL (75) doesn't even cut the spread. 332-426










Game 12: Jocelyn Lor
Was hindered by unbalanced rack early in the game, while she managed to play TASTIEr (70). Was rueing my next rack of AEEORSW because SOWARREE doesn't play before I chose WOE to open up a triple lane. she takes that with TH(E)Y (42) while I changed my next rack. I eventually get down MOREENS (79) to cut her lead down to 29 points but another change blew that back up to 69 points. I managed to find BANDIES (73+5) to whittle it back to 12 but drew the QV and got bogged down dumping them in the end game while her last rack looked pretty with AEHJN?. 350-391

KOTH Rounds: Now tied with Hubert on 9 wins, Guo Cong is breathing down our necks with 8 wins.

Round 13: Hubert Wee
My only instinct was to score, score and score. Hubert was trailing until he drew ASPERSE (80+5) after exchanging 5 tiles the turn earlier. I rectified that 3 turns later while he struggles with 1-pointers racks before he opened up for my sTOMPED (94) which end the game for him there and then. He then proceed to tighten the board, which I duly obliged by complying with him.435-307

Despite me beating Hubert, Guo Cong didn't manage to accumulate enough spread to overtake Hubert. So......

Game 14: Hubert Wee
Hubert was leading most of this game and managed to get down GENTEEl (63) on his 6th turn, while I was forced to exchange 5 tiles the following turn. Hubert then defended his 60+ lead until his OWRIE gave me the floater for S(I)RENISE (70) (I missed the superior (E)SERINES/(E)ERINESS for 77, which might have been the game-winning move). This allowed him to score with the X in RAD(I)X (42). A cute A dump of DA/AG allowed me to out in 2 with LUAU and DO(V)E but I still lose to him by 4 and compound that loss with a 1 minute overtime penalty. 324-388

Guo Cong has now overtaken me on spread and gets to play Hubert. (Whoopee......)

Game 15: Tony Sim
Opening rack: AEOUFNR. I chose UFO (12) over FURANE (26)
Then I needed to change 3 on the next rack. (NHL, keeping EARN)
ION (11, keeping AIRE)
exchange 7 (AIERUYI) [vowels into consonants: GGLNSX?]
exchange 5 (GGLNX, keeping S?) [consonants into vowels: AAAIU]
exchange 4 (AAIU, keeping AS?) [vowels into consonants again: MSWY]
Drawing MYWS to AS?, I play WAYS (46) and PA(W)N (36) but and forced to change 2 tiles of my racks again before playing CONGES(t) (86+5).
Managed to score with HAVE(OU)R for 42 point but Tony accelerates his game from this point onwards. 343-410

Guo Cong beats Hubert and gets into the driving seat, while I drop to 4th as Tony overtakes me. And so, another rematch...

Game 16: Tony Sim
After this game, I have somehow witness the cosmis balance power that is known as probability (in the long run) A.K.A swinging luck in the short term.
Tony plays AFOOT (18), allowing my QUEME (28). He gets JURA (27), which I foolishly try to hook an S to but got challenged off. He then gets ADZ (45) and WINCE (34) before my dump on HELL (20) gives me the floating L for (L)OGINESS (70). His QUAIR (36) and V(I)L(E)R (24) are no match for my sEVENTH(S) (67) and LOOBIeS (77), which puts me 78 points up (I drew EIUDSTY and was cursing that the L was in the wrong place for SEDULITY). Then we started playing tight board (I even phonied PI(N)K(E)) before I managed to kill (RETAX)ING (both of us were fishing for that extension) by playing ED from my rack of DOTAGES to deny Tony the comeback. I drew UI to GOATS but there was no opening for AGOUTIS either so when Tony emptied the bag, I just played out in two with OUTSAI(L) and G(IF). 406-353

Day 2: 4 wins/8 games
I really must stop Day 2 crashes, but I will admit, this scrappy performance was probably overdue, considering my last tournament was slightly over 5 months back in october 2006. At least I didn't get punished for my rustiness.

3rd time's the omakase charm

Starters: Boiled ripe blossom mixed with mustard sauce & chilled sesame bean curd
What a double whammy this one is.
The bean curd was so firm that it didn't yield to my chopstick. Slicing and dicing it was not a chore but it was a surprise to me (as I have always thought all tofu should be soft and fragile) to see it maintain its form without crumbling into flakes like normal tofu. Chef ricky pointed out that this one is homemade beancurd using sesame paste, some cooking sake & salt (to emulsify it, I think). Best of all, it tasted a deepness of the mild sesame that fills your mouth without overwhelming it the slightest bit.

The veggies in the cup were coated with mustard sauce, so it was an instant hit on your tongue and nose. Again, not so overwhelming that you would instinctively reach for water/tea (Then again, I eat curry for lunch everyday, so maybe I have immunity?). Overall, a good way to start off today's dinner.


Soup: Clear Soup with Crab Dumpling and Vegetables
Same as January's soup. This time around, the crab dumpling was made totally out of crab meat, so you can count on it be flakey (ie bits and pieces floating around in the soup, adding much needed texture to accentuate the soup stock).

The crab dumpling itself was firm, and didn't break up so easily upon pressure from my trusty chopstick. Unlike the prawn dumpling however, it didn't steep enough in the soup to draw in the flavour of the soup, but at least some of it did seep into the soup.


Sashimi: Bonito, Cuttlefish, Mackerel + 1 more
Bonito (finally found out what it was): 2 slices of darkening meat in the upper left corner of my dish. a relative of the tuna family (?), it tasted matured compared to the fullness of Toro, and yields to the pressure from your tongue in your mouth. no need to chew so much.

Cuttelfish: 2 slices, just in front of the bonito. Still experimenting on it.

Mackerel: The mackerel was tucked away, hidden behind the lemon slice on the upper right hand corner of the dish, next to the bonito. Now this is excellent mackerel, unlike the limp stuff you use to find in sushi franchise in Malaysia. The meat is firm and slice thinly so as to make it bitey and chewy, taste milder than sea bream, maybe with a hint of freshly caught anchovies (must have been reminding myself of the flavour of the sea)

1 more: No idea, but it was in front of the mackerel/lemon slice and I forgot to ask ricky about it. but the meat looks pale pink, like boiled pork meat fresh out of the water, but it has no taste of pork.


Steamed dishes: simmered duck meat with Potato, prawn and chilli
Chef ricky powdered the duck before steaming it with the potato and the prawn in the sauce. The fried chilli was the garnishing.

I always prefer duck to chicken when it comes to taste and this dish was swirling with flavour (although most of it was trapped in the sauce which provided an interesting texture as the powder somehow escaped into the sauce, thickening and flavouring it and the duck at the same time).

My only lament about this dish was the small portion of the duck, which I have duly pointed out to Ricky-san. tied for second


Grilled Dish: Asaha(?) shell, baby squids with sweet miso & assorted hor d'oeuvres
The meat of the shellfish was cooked in a broth with bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Hot, savory goodness, even if you have to dig out the good stuff hiding at the bottom of the shell (makes me want to be barbaric and just take the whole thing and down it in one gulp instead of digging things out with my chopsticks).
(The japanese ginger shoot was a mouthful to)

The baby squids were coated with a funky sweet miso paste, that perfectly accentuates that sea-saltiness of the baby squid itself (since it is not yet fully grown, the meat is bitey rather than chewy). Sort of like eating chinese yong tau foo (if you get my drift), but a lot more savory and sweet.

The hor d'oeuvres this time include two crabmeat meatball (in white and pink), salted green beans, two slices of cakes and a tempura vegetable (which Nobu said was bitter, bet he hasn't tasted bitter gourd yet. At least not the way my mum prepares it. but i digress and will present that story for another post). This probably gets my vote for the favorite dish of the menu.


Boiled(?) dish: Sea Bream head cooked in Sake with tofu & mushroom
Let's face it, after the fugu head challenge last time. Eating this is a piece of cake. The meat was so tender, it was practically fall of the bone and the bone are not too pokey in your mouth. So eat slowly and you have no problem separating the flesh from the bone and spitting out the bone (some of them are actually soft enought to crunch, no kidding)
Anyway, I can't taste the alcohol in this cooking sake, so I assume most of it has been evaporated in the process. Too bad, the tofu didn't soak up the access sake. Drunk on Sake Tofu: that's would have made a very nice catch phrase. Also tied for second.


Main course: Assorted sushi (I did not take the chibarasu sushi) and homemade Miso soup
(octopus with lemon slice, mackerel, white fish meat wrapped with Oba leaf, salmon,
kosomo sushi with naga toro and pickles)
First one, I tried was the octopus sushi with a slice of lemon. Initially, the lemon slice overwhelms the tongue before fading away to meld with the octopus just nicely as you continue tasting.

The next one wrapped in the Oba leaf had the opposite effect. The aroma of the leap filled my mouth and my nose so much that I can't even taste the fish because of its strong aroma and aftertaste. (Have pointed out this one to Ricky-san)

The mackerel and salmon sushi are good, but sometimes sushi being finger food, you just wish you could use your hands if you weren't stuck at some posh hotel.

the seaweed rolled sushi that you see are called kosomo sushi (which is different from maki sushi as those are bigger rolls, think 2 inches in diameter). These one were filled with freshly minced Toro and pickles which made for an interest flavour compared to normal kosomo sushi.
Another dish tied for second (why am I so indecisive).

Dessert: sliced fresh fruit & white bean soup
The white bean soup had some starch in it, highlighting (or more accurately, spotlighting) the sweetness of the soup, giving it a very thick texture. The two rice dumpling inside are not the sweet, but springy to chew on in your mouth.

Was alternating between the soup and the fruit, which are tangy this time to help balance out my sweettooth.


Chef Ricky Kamiishi (his first name is actually Kusuo, I don't know why he chose Ricky as a nickname) was busy entertaining some guest from Japan before he hotfooted over to me. I did questioned him over th absence of the kagami menu this month and he said he took it down but promised me to give me a special one when I next visit him (over complaints from many people about the absence of wagyu beef and really expensive items)
I must really visit his kitchen the next time I come here to eat.
Still drooling?
Good, just email me so that we can schedule another dinner date here soon.

just another meme to bore everyone

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have high neuroticism. It's easy for you to feel shaken, worried, or depressed. You often worry, and your worries prevent you from living life fully. You tend to be emotionally reactive and moody. Your either flying very high or feeling very low. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test