if i was a dog, i think i would like to live in tokyo

having a public blog is a bit risky in some ways. you never know what stranger from who knows where decides to contact you. recently the interesting and quite intriguing one has been a "rocket scientist" who claims to be a "sorcerer" from toronto, whose english is not good (?), first baiting me with compliments, then threatening to destroy my ego, and later, just pounding me with insults. and i wonder. is this someone rotting in jail? perhaps an old flame seeking revenge? or just someone with way too much time on their hands? i mean, dude, get a life.

anyhow, today we saw another interesting neighborhood, shimokitsazowa. supposedly trendy. very small, lots of small stores (which i like) and clubs known internationally to the hip music going set,(much of it punk) such as the loft, live house, and club 251. many stores were closed, cause they celebrate new years here for a week, but there were hundreds of people in shibuya waiting on the ground to get into the department stores at 7am this morning for the big sales and the grab bags, which are very popular. all of the stores have secret bags which are supposed to be worth more than you pay, filled with stuff you don't know about. some as high as 10,000 yen and more! (85 US bucks up). there would be no way i could spend that kind of money for something i could not look at. but they seem to love it here. and it does sound fun.

i also noticed that the small dogs were as well dressed as the people. and i met a little daushund in a brown hoodie down vest. cutest thing i've ever seen. and as the day went on, i saw many more petite pups clad in the latest down, wool and even fur! apparently doggies are very well dressed in tokyo. and there are dozens of stores catering to this need. all the dogs are small, because the apartments are also small. it makes sense. but there aren't any homeless animals here at all, which is a good thing. if i was a dog, i think i would like to live in tokyo.