Duck and cover, right?

So I was reading in bed, and then I heard some noise.
I presumed that the folks upstairs were just stomping around... but then the noise got more frequent and things started to shake...

And the shaking got worse.

I've felt some swaying before but this was the first "big" quake I've experienced, where the hotel was definitely did some of this. So now, some numbers and figures!

• The quake had a magnitude of 5.5 earthquake.
• Tokyo felt this as a magnitude 3.0 quake.

^from the JMA


DID NOT LIKE... it was definitely unsettling...

Alpine Lakes Wilderness - Fall Edition

This year's October has been incredibly clear. There was some snow in the mountains earlier in the month, which made access difficult at that time, but we've had a string of sunny days since then. Thus, today was spent romping around in the beautiful wilderness of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Ingalls Pass!


Lake Ingalls and Mount Stuart from above:


...and from below.


One more view before the sun slipped below the ridge behind us.

西新宿

I had an afternoon in Nishi-Shinjuku for once, so I explored.


Shinjuku Mitsui Building


Tokyo Sumitomo Building


Shinjuku Center Building


Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building


Sompo Japan Building


Shinjuku Nomura Building + Sompo Japan Building


I got a room upgrade this time around...


...and loved the views.

Tokyo

Well, it's 1AM and I'm wide awake. This jet lag stuff is awful. Might as well get some photos processed...

My first hour in Tokyo was a little stressful... While checking-in, the receptionist asked for my passport. I looked into my bag, only to find my wallet. Then, the Kübler-Ross model kicked in...

1. Denial: It must be in my other bag! 
2. Anger: WHAT IS THIS?! IT'S NOT HERE?! I NEVER LOSE THINGS!!! 
3. Bargaining: Please excuse me while I look through my bag for the 5th time. I must of missed it the first four times. Also, please give me some more time to go through my other bags again.
4. PANIC! 
5. STRONGER PANICKING!!!
6. Depression: I'm screwed, they'll never let me back into the states...
7. Acceptance: The hotel tells me how to file a police report; so I can go to the embassy for a new passport... 
8. Joy: Front desk calls me. The airport found it.

What had happened:
It was my first time flying into Haneda Airport, so I went to the info desk to figure out how to get to Shinjuku station. Apparently, I dropped my passport while I was there.

Luckily, I had plans to eat, drink, and be merry. Some friends had planned a picnic at Yoyogi Park for their co-worker's birthday.

^fact: that instrument is modular and awesome.

The next day, I returned to HND to pick up my passport. Then I headed to the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art. The area around Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station was very quiet...

The street was lined with community made dolls that represented various things in culture.

Street Flair.



One could only take photos in an exhibit called Ghosts, Underpands, and Stars. There were a series of different rooms that led you through each subject. The exhibit was aimed towards children and encouraged them to interact with the art. Kids ran, yelled and played with the pieces.

‘Stars’ symbolized wishes.


‘Underpants’ symbolized a child's growth.


‘Ghosts’ symbolized imagination.


Looking outside.



Monday - Friday were spent on work related stuff. I was able to get dinner with friends on Friday night; at a small place in Shibuya. The place was cozy and served dishes from a Japanese island.

Best find of the trip? Taco rice and steak wrapped tofu!!!