an old acquaintance

Mari, Kenny and I met up with an old friend from a short contract stint I did in Australia back in "19100". Martin and I worked at an odd little Web 1.0 start-up called i7 back when the getting was good (and how!).

We met under a heavy rain, and after a twenty minute wait/soaking we fetched up in a cafe in Harajuku. I had caffeinated coffee and as such am afraid I was a bit more than my usual chatterbox, ranging from the usual mix of politics and other outrages to the $150 canteloupes on sale at that cafe.

The reason for his visit is that Martin's son has been in town looking for work following a year of studies here in Japan. The kid's really good at Japanese, and what's more seemed to have all of the confidence and charm that I lacked as a twenty-year-old (and still lack as a 38-year-old, come to think of it).

It was the same for the rest of the family: Martin's wife is a jazz singer (just like my wife!) and the two of them were able to trade notes and experiences. The personable daughter of the family is also a singer and musician and was very interested in Japan.

It was a short visit, but it was great to meet such an engaging group.