A few stickers on a pole in Aoyama.

A construction company’s mascot.

A dry cleaning shop.

On Friday I met up with Elsbeth and Derk, from Amsterdam, who are in Tokyo visiting for 10 days. They first contacted me a few months ago after having discovered my site. They share the same interest in design (Elsbeth works as a graphic designer), and as I discovered on Friday night, in music also. We met up in Aoyama after I was done work, and I brought them to Frey (from where I moblogged) and then Low. I was planning on bringing them to Office, but since they had already been there, I figured it would be more interesting for them to check out some new places. I also thank them again for the wonderful CD they brought me as a gift, an album from Holland’s own Arling & Cameron.

Meeting people like this reminded me (and we talked about it) of how interesting it is when people who read your site and then meet up with you seem to already know so much about you. My website, Nej, is like my avatar on the Net, and it’s what people are basing their opinions of me from. I do think that what I put online is a rather correct image of me, of my likes and dislikes (although I don’t tend to dwell on my dislikes much), and what I’m about and what I’m into. People from half a world away probably know more about me than the people I work with on a weekly basis. Am I putting too much of me out there? For now, I don’t think so, but time will tell. The next question, which gets deeper, is why am I putting myself out like this? I do tend to see my site as a report of the things that I think people should be made aware of, as well as a place where I can express my design sensibilities (with the look of the site, the TB.Grafico photolog, and GEISHA). Is there an exhibitionist streak in me? I’ve never felt that way, but…

I’d just like to point out that there’s a discussion going on in the comments section of one of my previous entries about the new Roppongi Hills complex, and I’d be curious to hear what others think. You don’t need to have visited it for yourself, it’s more a question of whether or not there is a use for this type of urban development. Is this the way to go? Does Tokyo need this type of adult playground (or rather, does it need another one)?

This is the new TV Asahi building, part of the Roppongi Hills complex. I was looking forward to visiting this as I wanted to find some neat goods for some of my favorite TV shows at the gift shop, but most of what they had was just lame Doraemon merchandise. You can see Tokyo Tower in the background to the left.

If you already visit Lil’s excellent esthet blog, then you’ve already seen the following link, if not (shame on you), do give Image Dive a visit. Stunning photography.

I’m presently listening to the Nova Usagi single that was sent to me by Patrick the other day. For those not in the know (and you might be better off not knowing), the Nova Usagi is the mascot that was created for the Nova English conversation schools that has taken the CM world by storm. You can view all of the commercials online, so decide for yourself if it’s entertaining or not. The little ditty that plays over the CM (and which gets remixed in following commercials) is actually sort of catchy. The single features hip hop and techno remixes, as well as a karaoke version. Bah. Nova Usagi has absolutely nothing on Qoo and Lumine-san (fu-fu-fu), my favorite CM characters.

A few of the characters that Takashi Murakami created for the Roppongi Hills complex.

The latest Out of Tokyo column from the REALTOKYO site reviews the new KATEIGAHO magazine that I mentioned buying the other day.

I find it interesting how our new mobile phones have affected the way me and my wife communicate. We’ve developped a sort of communication based on pictures alone, usually with no text. If Yuko is feeling weird, she’ll take a picture of some insanely underground Japanese comic (like ESPA Ito) from a website she found and send it to me. Or I’ll get a picture of Kim Jung Il. Some of these images become recurring jokes, although I doubt anybody but us would fine them funny. A picture of an old cheesy character from a 60s Japanese animation anyone?

I absolutely love map of where you can find the symbols around Tokyo. You can order lots of stuff from the website, and I feel like getting some stickers and racking up a few points. Reminds me of the Obey Giant street art.

Found via the blog Pete’s Eats.

Find out which student you would be in BATTLE ROYALE. Seems like I would be Shogo Kawada. It reminded me of how much I’m looking forward to seeing the sequel, coming out this Summer in Japan.

This week’s issue of TIME ASIA features a 3-page article on Takashi Murakami. You can read it online.

Roppongi Hills week continues with this shot of a few of the buildings in the central area (around Mori building).