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Archive for the Category "Uncategorized"

Dissecting Dinner Jan 12

Had another really lovely dinner party, with Roast Lamb featuring as the central guest as per normal! The new little oven did a fantastic job of roasting the potatoes and kumera really well, and the normal oven once again outdid itself on the roast lamb, which had just a few pink juices running out when rested and carved. I think it hit a nice 70C in the centre, will have to look that up and check if it was right.

(just checked that 70C is totally perfect – well we could all have told you that after the meal).

Started the dinner off with some more of the Asian Tapas from my still very favorite book of the same name.

Garlic/Rosemary Olives – which goes so well with Anchovy Stuffed Olives – still working on texture of this mix.
Ceviche Scallop – No contest
Kashmiri Prawn Kababs – taste was lovely, but I think I can improve on texture.
Caramalized Mango and Octopus – WARNING Don’t use baby japanese squid as found in the market, unless you love the taste of squid bait – got with the octopus – it works really well.
Rainbow Quail Eggs – note to self, use a milder chilli. Choking ones manager with too much spice is not recommended.

Was thinking there was something else but that may have been the bubbles! What birthday dinner is complete without Moet Chandon!

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Mounting Tension Jan 11

I’m on the countdown to the first blood test to see if the cancer was all removed and had not decided to take a little wander to other locales.  Unfortunately as the days countdown the tension mounts up, I realised this morning coming to work that I’m terrified that it will be a bad result and I’ll have to have chemo-therapy.  Currently I cannot even confirm a ski-ing holiday in two weeks time.  I’m really starting to resent life having to be put on hold like this.  Okay some would say just book it, do it, don’t let it rule your life.  I’ll take a wild guess and say those would people who haven’t had cancer.  

Its not the cost of possibly having to cancel, its letting people down who are also going on the trip.  Anyway one component of my life that has resumed in full force.  Meetings so gotta go.

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Back in Tokyo Jan 06

After a wonderful holiday with my family in some not so seasonal weather I am back in the massive smoke and on my way back to work after a month away. I wonder if they still need me?

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Not a good start Dec 21

The one thing that rarely happens in japan has happened. My train is running late. Really late it is going to be a dash at the airport. And part of my dash got surgically removed.

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Totally Drained Dec 20


Wow, talk about drained! I had a fairly good nights sleep but feel that I’ve been hit by a 10 tonne truck. Sure that is me recovering from the stress of it all. Packed all my luggage for NZ last night and its gone to the airport so all that is left to do is tidy up the apartment (and me), then present to the airport Thursday morning.

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The C? Waiting Game. Dec 18


Well its almost Tuesday and time for the final diagnosis of what exactly the tumor was. I mean right at the moment I don’t even know if I do have cancer of not, hence the C? terminology. Everything is healing well from the surgury and I’ve been out and about the last couple of days doing the important things in life like sinking a couple of SegaFredo cafe latte’s and buying presents for my nephew.

The expedition out to Daiba today left me fairly exhausted by the time I got home and its going to be an early night for me! Its not really pain, but certainly uncomfortable after a couple of hours being active.

This whole C? has become a period of dates and depends. Everything prior to the next date in the little treatment calendar is waiting and wondering and until that date everything after depends. Its incredibly frustrating and at times upsetting, no amount of mind discipline can stop you going of into the realm of wild speculation, its possible to acknowledge it and try and move on, but as the ‘date’ draws closer this is easier said than done.

I’ve got the pit of the stomach feeling that I had last Sunday before going into surgury on Monday and while I know that I’ve already done one of the biggest steps its doesn’t make the next steps any easier. I’m wanting to tell myself that its benigh, but the chances of a tumor there being benigh are really low, and blah blah blah all the other questions with no known answers.

I need to keep in mind the bad case scenario (not using worst case here), as that way the news will not be total shock! Anyway time for bed and we’ll deal with it all tommorow.

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Home Again Dec 13

Hey, its all over, well stage one anyway. Was discharged midday today and sent home! Less 180,000 YEN and one nut! Oh well! Feeling really good at the moment, walking is getting better and better, but marathons are currently not being considered.

Its now just take it easy and recover, which is progressing really really well. Then Tuesday its back for the stiches out and find out the next steps.

Again to all the people who have been to visit me both physically and virtually, thank you so much for your support and kind words you have no idea how much its meant to me over the last 5 days.
d

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To just rollover Dec 13

Well the first hard night is now over. A good run of pain relief and asleeping something and off to the land of nod. but having to sleep on my back, not so easy

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Improving rapidly Dec 12

Up and about now still have drips but they go by the end of the day

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Improving rapidly Dec 12

Up and about now still have drips but they go by the end of the day

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