After a couple of rejections, we finally stumbled upon a small restaurant called Hideyoshi. Working through our respective language barriers, we listened to the chef’s recommendations and made our orders. The meal was exactly what we needed. The standout was a vegetable soup, which my wife ordered. My own order was less clear and memorable, though I remember feeling much better after eating it. Neither of us got sick, and my wife believes it was because of the meal here. Aside from what sounded like a business dinner in another room, it was just us at Hideyoshi.

I rarely write Google Maps reviews, though I made the exception here in the hopes of swaying anyone on the fence to give the restaurant a try. I wrote, “​​This was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had all year. The food was literally mind bending; the simplest dishes taste incredibly soulful and well considered. The service is very accommodating and welcoming. I highly recommend this restaurant.”

Now, I know I tapped out that review on my phone myself, though if I were to read it now, I’d wonder if AI wrote it. If I were writing that today, I’d probably ask myself, as proof of experience, “Which dish was the outstanding one? What was your favorite and why?” Still, better a review than none, I suppose.

Hideyoshi has since closed down shop. There were many promotional changes I’d suggest to the restaurateurs (for example, what could we do to make it the first option other travellers considered? Are there no happy hour options it could offer for people working in the area, for a quick nip before the commute home? Could it do an event at the hotel we stayed at Etc.?), and it reminds me of the phrase, “Evolve or die.” Nothing is permanent. Even restaurants need to change with the times.

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Work works itself to work

Work is happy each and every day

There’s nothing work can’t do

Work does anything and everything

Even work work doesn’t want to do

Work only knows to move forward

Work surprises everyone with its unstoppable energy

There is nothing work doesn’t know

It answers all if you ask

If you ask to do it work will do it

What work likes the most

Is to struggle with hard work

All the hard work work would do

Let us now work work work

It reminds me that work is a condition of life; it’s not meant to be escaped. 

A proper respect for your own work also makes sure you’re not exploited.

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This stands out in contrast to my own words from last year, “Take fewer photos. Be intentional about the moments you want to take photos of, and trust your brain to remember the rest of it.”

I assumed that taking a photo would take you out of the moment. Let’s flip that on its head: what if the need to take a photo encouraged you to be more present? The need to find an interesting scene could encourage you to look around more, make a decision to focus on something in your environment, and remember it.

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At some point, you may feel like your back is against the wall, and they’re closing in. Everything is falling apart.

That’s a sure sign your next adventure is about to start.

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If you make eye contact, wave, and say, “Excuse me,” you are off to a good start. 

Learn to ask indirectly. Feel out when to push and when to pull back. Know when to offer to put in some effort, and see if they may change their mind.

There are many indirect ways for someone to say no. Try not to be insensitive. Listen carefully.

Everybody feels a degree of discomfort when they need to initiate a conversation. Don’t let that feeling stop you.

When you experience rejection, be proud of yourself because you got closer to a yes than you would have been without asking.

“What’s the reason…” feels much easier on the ears than, “Why…”

When you don’t ask, you’re saying no to yourself. It will happen in spite of your best efforts. Be easy with yourself.

Always ask!

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With their experience, they can suggest more expansive possibilities than you could have imagined. All you have to do is one thing:

Ask. 

Always ask.

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As I wore it more often, its meaning changed. Nobody who really knew me respected me more (or less) because I wore the ring. It felt too obnoxious for business meetings. An acquaintance once told my girlfriend that there was no way it was real. I kept the certificate of authenticity, I didn’t think I’d actually need it though!

When someone drives a fast, loud sports car, they feel proud because they’re the center of attention. They feel respected and important. They don’t realize that many of us know that they paid a lot of money to buy this thing to impress us, and that may be a reflection of their own insecurity. Was it possible for them to feel important without the sports car? I wondered if my big gold ring said the same thing about me.

I stopped wearing it for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I decided that I didn’t want to impress everyone anymore. I’d only wear it if I really wanted to wear it, if the occasion felt right, and if it matched the rest of what I was wearing.

Most importantly, I got a better sense of what I valued and what I didn’t care about. I didn’t want to play those kinds of games. No more big rings.

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It’s wonderful to see these festivities in North America. When I grew up, lunar new year was barely even mentioned; it was just another day at school for me, and at the office for my parents. As a teenager, a handful of classmates would stay home to celebrate. I was told that the lunar new year was a huge deal in Asia.

A few years ago, when I lived in Hong Kong, the city bustled with people shuttling to and from family events. People want to preserve the fortune that comes with the new year. For example, nobody gets haircuts on new year’s day, so barbershops are closed. Similarly, people clean their houses the night before so they don’t sweep their good fortune away.

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And yet, people ask for directions. Even with the maps, the signs, and other wayfinding designs, people still ask. And they do so for all sorts of reasons:

Because they are in a rush.

Because they don’t want to get the wrong answer.

Because the digital map isn’t working properly.

Because they don’t have a device, connection, or app. Or they don’t want to use it. Or they’re out of battery.

Because they feel disoriented.

Because they want someone, even a stranger, to give them instructions.

Because they want a guide, or a companion.

Because they want an excuse to start a conversation.

Because it’s snowing and they can barely make out anything.

Because they’re in a new part of town.

Because.

Imagine when the context is less clear; where someone doesn’t know what they want, (literally or metaphorically) where they even are, and can’t speak the language. Imagine scenarios where they desperately need expertise.

No matter how old or advanced technology gets, people need people, for all sorts of reasons.

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If you want to save money on travel, your best bet is to be flexible either with where you want to go, or when you want to go. Preferably both.

A couple wants to celebrate Valentine’s Day, without paying exorbitant Valentine’s prices. Instead of getting dinner on February 14, they set a date for February 13.

Whether you want to stretch your dollar or avoid crowds, being flexible with timing can work to your advantage.

Because it’s unusual, it also creates tension, which in turn creates an occasion for an interesting story.

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