Canal City

Canal City in Hakata, Fukuoka is like nothing I've seen before as far as shopping malls go. Granted, I passed up going to Mall of America in Minnesota a few years after it opened so I haven't experienced the, then, largest mall in the world. I have been to Vegas. Also, as a foreigner, if you show your passport, you're able to receive discounts in a number of stores.

Canal City

With 6 levels of shopping (2.5 million sq ft), there really is something for everyone...unless you're into trolls hanging upside down from the ceiling serving pastries. Then again, there's a Moomin bakery and store here. (Moomin is huge in Japan but relatively unknown in the US) The mall is located in what seems like the heart of the city, within walking distance from the entertainment district, a major railway terminal (Hakata Station) with 16 railway and 2 subway platforms.

Ten (chocolatier)

All manners of restaurants, clothing, desserts, electronics, kiddie and more grown up toys, cinema, books, jewelry, art, sports, shoes, relaxation therapy, and so on from high end to bargains are available. Uniqlo has quite a visible presence on 3 floors.

Uniqlo

Spiral Girl had a lot of fun looking clothes, but made for young, thin Japanese (that was redundant, wasn't it?) women. Fall is definitely the best time of year to go window shopping - cool light coats, fun styles since it's cool enough to play, and beautiful shades of subdued hues.

Spiral Girl

Along the perimeter of the mall, there was a smoking tent so cigarette smokers can stand under the protection of a tent to smoke. That's pretty nice of the mall to offer this since I wouldn't have thought to and don't see these at all in the US. It's far enough away from the door so you don't drag that smoke into the mall area.

Smoking tent

There's even a Taito arcade near Capsule Toys (later post). We just took a quick peep, but didn't really stop in - too busy trying to get our ramen dinner.

Taito Station

Between Taito Station and Capsule Toys, this would make any 30 something fanguy or gal a poor person.

TV party

Had I known there as a Rockport store at Canal City, I would have bought a pair of shoes since we no longer have a standalone store in the region. We have access to a few Rockport shoe styles through Macy's and Lucky shoes, but I'm really not exaggerating when I say a few, at least for women.

- Cassaendra

Canal City
Hakata, Fukuoka

Dolly

Hello.

Day 199/365

When I took the photograph, I was reminded of "Blade Runner." Perhaps I'll watch the movie Friday night, as I plan on finishing the last two episodes of season 2 of "White Collar," and a movie, "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I am in the midst of reading two books, "Blueprints of the Afterlife" by Ryan Boudinot and "The Leopard" by Jo Nesbo.

Since we don't have cable television, most of our entertainment comes from what is available in the vast vaults of our library system; a wonderful resource for education and entertainment.

In case you were wondering... boa → snake → Zhora, the exotic dancer in "Blade Runner"

- Cassaendra

Bye Bye Bobbins

It seems like just a few weeks ago we walked by Tremont West Development's space on Professor Avenue and witnessed the transformation from a conference room to a storefront. Cosmic Bobbins opened its doors in this spot as its temporary base of operations, and that day "a few weeks ago" was November 11th, 2011.

Day 191/365 - Basket o' bobbins

Last evening, we noticed a few things amiss and a couple of naked mannequins. From the start, this was a temporary deal, but a lonely storefront transmits a lonely vibe.

Day 191/365 - Mannequins

The bohemian storefront feels vacant without all the glitz and glam on display, from bottle cap belts to colorful brochure bags and ladybug goblets.

Sling of caps

While their nifty upcycled styles are sold online and numerous boutiques in the city, I wonder where the next Cosmic Bobbins sign will pop up? 

Scarf at sunrise

Hope 2012 brings more cool shops to this space, and the return of Cosmic Bobbins, as well as Yellow Cake!

- Cassaendra

Freeze Frame

The city on December 25th always feels as if someone pushed pause between manic episodes of shopping.

Day 177/365 - Bottle of bobbins at Cosmic Bobbins

Yesterday, after dragging Bug to see David Fincher's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," one of the best movies I've seen this year, we walked around the mall to observe the chaos. It wasn't packed like a can of sardines, more like a can of Hamanako unagi.

While I was in Hawaii, I was shocked to hear from my father that Hamanako unagi, Japanese broiled eel in kabayaki sauce from Hamamatsu packed in a can, is kept behind the counter since it now goes for $16/can on sale. I thought that was absurd, since I recall buying it for $4/can a mere 20 years ago. When we went to Marukai, a Japanese wholesale membership club, it really sunk in when I saw a sign confirming what my father said -- not that I doubted my father. While I absolutely love Hamanako unagi, I asked my father not to send me anymore. I'm sure he's relieved.

There was still a line to get a picture with Santa Claus.

Day 177/365 - Ladybugs at Cosmic Bobbins

Following the day's first showing of "The Adventures of Tintin" this morning, an enjoyable animated movie, we drove to our favorite Indian restaurant, India's Cafe, for lunch.

Since the only store open was Walgreen's, their parking lot was jammed. We should have gone in. I am curious what people were shopping for. Were they there to ease their acquisition-itch since all the other stores are closed? Or were some curious as I was to see what all the fuss is about?

Just a few more hours until store employees will be thrust into overdrive dealing with returns, shopbacks, and clearance sales. 

My belly is still happy from the goat curry, butter chicken, lentil curry (coconut milk and fresh ginger), and ras malai. I'll have sweet dreams.

- Cassaendra

Four Minute Warning

Only 4 weeks ago, Tremont West Development's meeting room was transformed into a storefront for Cosmic Bobbins. It will feel weird when this holiday chariot reverts to a pumpkin meeting room (it isn't quite that bad) in 4 days.

Day 174/365

When Yellow Cake occupied this space for a weekend last winter, I was swept up with the quaintness of the shop-up store that I bought a cute grey ninja doll. I think it was supposed to be a pin cushion. I adored some of the pretty unique outfits that were being sold -- if I were only thinner, taller, and had a few more bucks to spare.

Day 174/365

I wonder who will inhabit this spot next?

- Cassaendra

Black Friday

On the day after Thanksgiving, my father and I meandered through Chinatown purposely avoiding the chaos taking place in large retail stores.

Day 166/365

During the early 1940s, the brick building below, built in 1899, was home to Cafe Aloha, popular amongst servicemen, which became Cafe Hubba Hubba after World War II, and later transformed to Club Hubba Hubba until its demise in the 1990s.

Yes, Club Hubba Hubba.

Day 166/365 - Club Hubba Hubba, Hotel St

My memory of this area of Downtown along Hotel Street was of dilapidated seedy establishments, the clack of cues hitting balls, and the thunk as balls fell into pockets, mixed with carbon monoxide fumes, baked urine, and old beer. With the recent renovations, the difference is like night and day.

Hotel Street the day after Thanksgiving is like something out of a dream, an alternate universe. From a bustling street choked with traffic to an empty stretch where you could take a nap in the middle of the street -- I wouldn't advise it.

Day 166/365 - Hotel St

Built in 1931, the Walter Murray Gibson Building (below), as it is currently known, on Merchant and Bethel Streets was the Honolulu Police Station until 1967. City government offices currently occupy the space. The doors were made from imported mahogany from the Philippines. Marble, imported from France, and local sandstone were also used. A lot can be said for beautiful architecture and quality materials.

Day 166/365 - Old Honolulu police station

Downtown along Merchant Street feels like a throwback to a prosperous time, when people walked around in long dresses and men in suits (in the heat!) carrying timepieces, as much of the surviving architecture was built in the 1890s through the 1930s. It reminds me of brochures I've flipped through of Miami, with its fusion of Spanish and art deco.

The renovation of Downtown to keep the old architecture is commendable, when it is cheaper to demolish old buildings and build skyscrapers. The use of compact fluorescent light bulbs on an old lamp is an example  of the pride and the preservation effort.

Day 166/365

Still along Merchant Street, this narrow walkway was rather claustrophobic. The green awning is an entrance to a restaurant. Several other retail businesses are further along.

Day 166/365

After weaving through grocery, herb, and anything you can think of stores, we landed at Pho 97 for a fantastic Vietnamese meal of pho tai and bun bo Hue, which I will describe in an upcoming post.

More pictures of Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown to come, once I have sifted through the rest of my pictures.

- Cassaendra

Mag Bag

Day 147/365

A display of woven purses and doodads now grace the Tremont West Development Corp storefront window on Professor Avenue.

From reading a blurb printed on the backside of their tag, it reads that Cosmic Bobbins' handbags are "organically handcrafted from previously read magazines and are fair trade manufactured, to create jobs to help lift people up out of poverty." The purse shown above is listed at $150.

The pop-up store is scheduled to open its doors on Friday, November 11th for the Art Walk through December 23rd.

- Cassaendra

If It Fits

It's mine.

Day 126/365

This fur coat has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. I've never owned a fur coat -- I've never worn one. Getting one second hand for $65 seems like the best way.

The color variation is pleasing; however, the strap is questionable

I went in to try the coat on this evening. Well, it doesn't fit. I'm sure Bug let out an enormous sigh of relief when I turned my back.

- Cassaendra

Blue Lady

 
Day 123/365

I can't explain why I love this display. I don't even wear hats because I look ridiculous in them. My closet holds only 3 blue articles of clothing, mainly because it's difficult for me to match indigo with black or charcoal grey.

- Cassaendra

They Draw + Cook

I have been following They Draw + Cook (TD+C) by Salli Swindell and Nate Padavick for a few months. It is an adorable and creative collection of recipes by Ms. Swindell and illustrators from all over the world. I was ecstatic and a bit skeptical when I learned a book was being published.

While I was bee-bopping around online this morning, I discovered that a pre-launch book party at the Learned Owl was going to take place in a few hours. Not wanting to pass up a chance to meet with Ms. Swindell and take a peek at the book, we drove out to Hudson with a bag of canned goods to support the Akron Food Bank.

Day 112/365

When we walked in, she was chatting with one of the contributing artists, Betsy Snyder, near a table decorated with food from the book and website, even play dough, as well as a stack of TD+C books and calendars. I flipped through the book for 10 seconds and the calendar for 5 seconds...and greedily grabbed 2 books and a calendar.

The book and calendar are put together extremely well, 100 times better than I expected, and the pages lay flat. I was also surprised how well the large canvas prints turned out. An additional bonus, proceeds from the book sale at The Learned Owl will go to the Akron Food Bank. All profits from WD+C's Cafe Press sales support the UN World Food Program.

Day 112/365

Since we found a great parking spot, we walked along Main Street and visited several clothing and game boutiques. I absolutely adored the clothes at one of the boutiques.

Bug was following me around, peered at the tag of one of the coats I was fond of, and inquired what "446" meant. I replied that it was the price. He quickly grabbed my shoulders while I was looking at another coat and pushed me out the door.

TD+C is scheduled for release on October 4th (amazon.com)!

- Cassaendra

The Learned Owl
204 N Main St
Hudson OH 44236
Tel: (330) 653-2252

Negative Space

I found an advertisement postcard for Asian Town Center in my belongings yesterday and looked the place up online to discover there is an Asian grocery store, Korean restaurant, Vietnamese restaurant, art gallery and studio, and other small shops within the complex.

We have passed by this structure numerous times but did not think to explore it until today.

Day 080/365 - Negative Space

The vast two-story space is a converted warehouse with an almost nifty vibe. A lot has been done to make the place look chic, but it's not quite there yet. I love the high ceilings and the freight elevators, but lighting needs to be improved to give the place a sharper appearance.

We stopped by Asia Food Company, the grocery store, to pick up ginger and found some deals on gobo (burdock root), fresh-baked sesame balls with lotus, mung and coconut, and azuki fillings, and oodles of noodles ranging from Mama tom yum noodle soup to Myojo chukazanmai.

Miega, a Korean restaurant, and Negative Space Gallery and Studio are upstairs past a wide spiral staircase that feels out of place. I can't wait to check out the scorpion bike up close at the gallery and try a bowl of soon dubu jjiggae or kalbi bi bim bap. And then there is Pho 99 downstairs...the choices!

- Cassaendra

Negative Space Gallery and Studio
3820 Superior Ave 2nd Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
Tel: (216) 470-6092

Big Apple

Day 079/365 - Cleveland Auction Co storefront

Glad to hear that most of the East Coast survived Hurricane Irene without incident. When you consider the manic panic over the airwaves, one would have expected the eastern seaboard was joining Atlantis.

I hope the recovery goes quickly for those who did not fair as well.

- Cassaendra

Flowers

Day 075/365 - Nana nana nana nana, Batman!

What drew my attention to this flapper-like dress were the black flowers. One of these days, I will have a room with flowers like this stenciled along the bottom half of the wall in black against white, and the top half of the wall painted deep red.

The top of the dress is a bit too Batman for my taste.

- Cassaendra

Chum

Day 070/365

The simple but unusual logo and art nouveau typeface on the door of the Tremont Rod and Gun Club remind me of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I suppose the inclusion of Captain Nemo in the story helps.

There is no indication that a random visitor is welcome since the storefront is opaque in the same manner as the door that you see here. One of these days, I'm going to turn the knob and enter. Until that time, I'm left to my own imagination of what goes on behind that door.


In the background is a clearer shot of the television set from a few days ago that I thought would be a snazzy computer monitor.

Day 070/365

The metallic dog in the foreground caught my eye today. Perhaps the next time the store is open, I'll ask the owner, "How much is that doggie in the window?"

- Cassaendra

Starfish

I'm a sucker for black vintage dresses. My willpower prevailed. I didn't buy this dress.

Day 069/365

Last week, I saw a long-sleeved black dress from the 1940s with pink trim along the cuff and collar for $20. Too much work needed to be done that asking a tailor to make me the dress from a pattern would have been easier. The waist needed to be taken in, and dress and sleeve lengths adjusted.

- Cassaendra

Muggy Monday

The weather the past few days have been miserable: heat * humidity = grumpy^3

Day 037/365

Rivulets of sweat stream down my forehead and back as I type this. At 10:00 p.m., it was 80°F outside and 82% humidity. The forecast is calling for more heat and humidity through the next 7 days, cresting near the upper 90s on Thursday.

While cooling off window shopping at Target, these boxers caught my eye. Argh! I want a vanilla popsicle!

- Cassaendra

Market

A farmers market transforms one of the courtyards at work to a festive bazaar with stands of farm-direct vegetables and fruits like beets, onions, strawberries, and blueberries; beeswax candles and soaps; baked goods; grass-fed cheeses and meats; a large variety of olive oil and balsamic vinegar; fresh local gourmet pasta; as well as a several ready made food tents.

011/365

Perhaps I should have shelled out $4 to buy some jam or honey. She is far too young to be in such deep contemplation. Next week, I will purchase a jar of apple butter.

- Cassaendra

White Paws

Humid with temperatures in the 80s, today would have made an ideal day for cicadas to croon. For the better part of the morning and early afternoon, our eyes were glued to our computers. I was catching up on a few missed episodes of Castle and Bug was busily beta testing Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Since I am the American Heart Association team captain for our department, I have been meaning to purchase a roll of 50/50 raffle tickets for the past few weeks to raise money. By mid-afternoon, we decided to head out and walked into the living room, where I was startled by the darkness. I looked up at our clock twice to affirm that it wasn't 5 hours later.

008/365 Akemi

We swam into the muggy dusk-like horizon with the barely audible sporadic rumbling of thunder. Partway to the Party Center, we met the thunderstorm. Driving wasn't very treacherous, but I was relieved that we were able to locate raffle tickets there and pleased that the people working there were friendly and helpful.

By the time we left the store, the temperature had become more tolerable, dropping into the 60s. When we arrived home, we took Akemi out in the cool mist. She was apprehensive at first, not being fond of walking in the rain often spending 15-30 minutes preening herself after a walk. As soon as she found a stick, her pace picked up to a proud prance, still careful not to get her white paws too dirty.

- Cassaendra

Soggy Doggy Market

Looking outside at the blue expanse, the sun's rays are warm to my skin as a chilly breeze briskly reminds me that it is May in Cleveland.

The past 2 weeks have been beautifully sullen, from the delicate mist draping the city to forays of nearly hurricane force gusts and cloudbursts, and every shape and size in between. The temperatures have been all over the place like my aim when I last played darts (sober, even), worse than a drunk, blindfolded penguin.

Yesterday, the rain was persistent taking no pity that it was the season opener for the Tremont Farmers Market. With pitched tents firmly planted in the sod at Lincoln Park, wet tent flaps flittered and the vendors were adorned in their shiny coats as if preparing to go fishing in the Bering Sea. Akemi only tolerated trudging through the wet grass to investigate the new smells.

There were a few new faces and several who returned. Looks like I can bring my knives to Mr. Noon and have them sharpened again this year. He got on Akemi's good side by offering her a snack. We had to drag her out of his tent. The sweet smell of crepes, spices for a dollar, several vegetable stands, chocolates, tea purveyor, and the lady with pies were a welcome sight and smell.

When we walked by one of the new tents that had numerous plates of cheese cubes on display, Bug persistently inquired whether I wanted to try a sample. I tried to ignore him. The man behind the table explained the cheese is from Meadow Maid in Fredericktown (near Columbus) from cows that are grass-fed. After 10 requests, becoming firmer each time, I grew weary of Bug asking and finally picked up cranberry almond and habanero cheese samples. We walked away with an 8 oz. brick of habanero cheese ($6 each or 2 for $10). The cheese was creamy, almost sweet, and had a nice zing.

We were stopped by a cheerful woman from the next tent. Ms. Mononoke, as I will call her due to her Princess Mononoke knit stocking cap, kneeled down to play with Akemi. Akemi-hime decided not to acknowledge the stranger as she did not come bearing gifts.

Bug was intrigued with the selection of the balsamic vinegars and oils from The Olive Tap. He tasted the green balsamic vinegar and chipotle extra virgin olive oil. He was impressed by the sweet-tartness of the vinegar and the mild smokiness and spicy tail of the oil.

Bug asked Ms. Mononoke for her opinion on a suitable match for the chipotle oil. She responded with a mixture of red apple balsamic vinegar and the oil. Sweet and spicy. Nifty on a salad or meat. Akemi became excited when Ms. Mononoke packaged up our bottles, $15 for the oil and $13 for the red apple balsamic vinegar, in a pretty bag.

Shopper turnout wasn't very good, as one would imagine with the rain. I felt bad for the man who drove nearly 2 hours away from Kinsman, OH with his large chest of lamb, beef, and pork sausages. That's quite a haul. The sausages he gave out as samples were delicious!

Akemi was eager to get out of the rain and mushy grass, and return home to play with her new bag.

There is a frost warning for morning commuters as the temperatures drop into mid-30s this evening.

On an unrelated note, May the 4th be with you!

- Cassaendra

Black Friday

After a day of self-reflection for Thanksgiving...

'Tis the season for material conquests, fa-la-la-la-la la-la la la.

Black Friday.

It was our first foray into what we thought would be sheer madness, where nothing or no one is sacred -- kids in flannel one-piece pajamas crying in the corner, orphaned, or lying lifeless, trampled under the boots of possessed shoppers, and little old ladies brandishing .44 Magnum revolvers cocked to your head as you reach for the last Dutch apple pie candle on the shelf for $1.59.

We drove up 30 minutes prior to the midnight opening at a game store. The Old Navy nearby had a line of at least 100 people.

There were 8 drenched loons standing out in the cold rain at the game store. At least the rain stopped as we got out of the car and joined the line-up.

Thirty minutes felt like an hour as I stood there in a t-shirt and sweatshirt with Bug. 30°F wind howled from the north every 3-5 minutes. To make it interesting, large globules of cold rain intermittently drenched us all as if we were standing under a rotating schoolyard sprinkler.

At 12:01, everyone trotted into the store in an orderly fashion, 8 people before us and around 20 people behind us, to stand in line at the register. Requests were fulfilled by either a runner or the cashier. Of the 8 people who came before us, only 3 people were present to purchase games or systems. The first person came with 3 friends, the second person was with their mother, and the third person came with a friend.

We ventured into a Wal-Mart to see for ourselves what hundreds of humans armed with carts thrown together in a Black Friday frenzy would conjure.

It was a mess. Clothes were flung everywhere, draped along cardboard boxes, jammed between crevices, and lying on the floor. Games, DVDs, and toys were treated as poorly. People were standing in lines everywhere. People were crawling everywhere. People were yelling everywhere. Carts were being driven haphazardly like they were possessed.

Those poor employees. I no longer felt miserable for standing out in the rain for 31 minutes.

- Cassaendra