Going to Japan - Page 9

That was awesome. I am going to try those techniques. I have already experienced Gaijin Perimeter and Gaijin Optic Blast. Last few days have just been bumming around various areas. We went to Shibuya to catch a show by this band (Yellow Peril) that Johnny met at a music store, but the door guy didn't understand the concept of "guest list" so Slim and I left to wander and find some food. We found a place called "Pepper Lunch" where you are served a half-cooked steak on a heavy iron skillet still hot as hell, and you are responsible for finishing the cooking job. It ended up being pretty good and definitely unusual. We came back to the show where Johnny had been waiting, and the band was done and loading their van with their gear. We went with them to a bar nearby (by the Lawson over the sport-court footpath from the JR station, for future reference). This place had no English on the sign or menus etc. We were led to and seated at a traditional Japanese table (with no chairs) and I was reminded of how bad my knees are. We had a few pitchers and some squid cocktail with the bands, talked about music and stuff, and took off for the last train. We are going to hang out with them again on Sunday, when they play another show. While on the way to their show we ran across a 45RPM store in Shibuya. I was expecting much higher prices but they are on par with all the other high-end jeans. Obviously they have some special editions etc., but most were in the $180-250 range. I was impressed by their extremely old-looking sewing machine set up for custom hems. The last couple days I've been laying pretty low - I have the head cold that everyone in the hotel seems to have and my feet are blistered and swollen. They seem to have expanded about a half size since arriving - I can feel the edges of the insoles in my Speedcats now. I'm going to go back to the hotel tonight, care for my feet, eat a lot of echinacea and vitamin C, and get some sleep. I don't need this moving down into my chest like it has done to Johnny. I need some answers on the Uniqlos. Should I rinse them and see if they shrink? People want to know what size to ask for. Like I've said, they seem to be big in all dimensions and if they are not sanforized they should shrink a considerable amount. Mine are still sitting in my room folded with tags on, but I could toss them in the sink and see what happens. Should I do that and get some before / after measurements? Like I said I plan to wash mine. Ideas? I washed the Ring Denim pair and they are drying in my room right now, so we'll see how much those shrink too.

The selvages are drying in my room right now. I measured before and I will post the before/after measurements later. They turned the water a tea color and I rinsed them several times, whereupon they began turning the water and a washcloth I was using to get off excess dripping water a turquoise blue-green. I don't know if this means they were sanforized, had sizing in them, or what, but we'll see how much they shrink. The ring denims I'm wearing now, and they didn't shrink much after one wash and drip dry. I stretched them out in the length to be sure they wouldn't dry too short, and they seem fine. Once I get the before/after measurements you can all finalize your orders based on your plans (whether you want to wash them or not). Wranglers eh? I need some more details here... The high-five cat I can probably do. Luc, I can get whatever you want if you promise to reimburse plus shipping and handling. Let me know soon though - we leave on the 26th.