Pizza and Karaoke

So, a couple weeks ago my LMS teachers had invited me to go out to dinner with them last night, which I did. It was supposed to be at a "pizza and pasta" restaurant, so I imagined a little Italian joint. Well, pizza (and delicious pizza) was served, but it was no Italian joint.

The room was a typical Japanese-style room for group parties - small, with tatami mats, a little raised area for I don't know what. The nice part about the room was, even though we were sitting on the floor, there was a pit under the table for your legs. Nice! And even better than that, the table was a kotatsu, a table with heaters underneath. Even though the heaters weren't on, the blanket covering was there, so we were all tucked under a common table blanket, all cozy-like.

Dinner was awesome, delicious pizza, first typical with tomato, cheese, basil and a piece of prosciutto. Then one with cheese (of course) and, among other things, pulpo (octopus). Also delicious. Chewy, but delicious. There were other things on the menu, a typical group dinner out, but I was excited about the pizza.

After dinner the night wasn't over yet. It was most definitely my fist time "bar-hopping" with my coworkers. Including the principal who was actually one of the sponsors of the decision to move on. We ended up at a bar one of the teachers frequents - an old-school karaoke bar.

Now, those of you who have had experience with the closed, private-room karaoke joints, this one was wide open, with only two microphones. Meaning you sang for everyone. At your own table, with your own TV, but it was blasted over the whole bar.

Here's the setting; Four sets of black, crushed-velvet sectionals around low tables, with one matching stool for the hostess of course. And by hostess I mean the girl who could potentially serve you and chat with you as well. Which they did. The walls were a delicious gold/brown crushed velvet as well. The owner/manager of the place: a middle-aged woman who looked like she never stopped living in 1986. She was totally excellent and funny to boot. I especially liked her because she was the second person in less than a month to say I have big boobs. Take that, Eddie Cunningham! Boo-yeah! Of course, beauty - and size, apparently - are in the eye of the beholder, and perhaps to the average Japanese person I am rather buxom. Yeah. Of course this discussion was had in front of three members of the male faculty. Not particularly comfortable.

Aaanyway, moving on from my busom, some songs were sung - not by me - some drinks were had - I had uron tea - some ladies were chatted with, the night was enjoyed and home we went.