Well, that was fun. It seems that I’m at my [blogging] best when I’m writing about Japan. I am not nearly as timely when I’m posting about Brooklyn, but a slow blog is better than no blog in my book. I didn’t take that many pictures in December, the short days mean I’m cooped up in an office for all the daylight hours every day, and my weekends are usually full. I have some night pictures, and some weekend pictures today.

First up, I was meeting family in Chinatown and got there about half an hour early, so I spent the time walking around with my camera, taking pictures of stores and restaurants. Here are a few I liked.

I like this place because it has no English name. Makes me want to try it out.

Fresh veggies! I never shop in Chinatown, although every time I’m there I think to myself that I should.

This is about as typical as Chinatown views get.

I like this picture best. Each little tank of fish is like a little framed picture. The three across the bottom make a nice little triptych.

I took the Chinatown pictures in mid-December, and other than various concerts and parties, I didn’t shoot much else until the holidays. We have a huge holiday party every Christmas Eve, but I actually didn’t take any great pictures at the party, so here are some before and afters.

This is actually a picture from Christmas Eve day. I got up around 10 in the morning to go help the family set up for the big party, and as I was leaving my apartment I noticed the sun shining in through the back door and hitting our old worn-out garden door. I took about five pictures (another one here) and then went to help out.

Neko came to help too (she sat on a stool and sniffed for food.)

The party happened, and it was great as usual. The house was full of people, the Christmas tree was decorated, and since we’ve been doing this every year for as long as I can remember, it finally felt like Christmas. Much egg nogg, beer, and ham was consumed.

Neko actually made herself scarce for the party - she’s more of a chill kind of girl, not so much into big crowds. Dinner parties are more her scene. Once most of the people left and there were just a few friends left, she came up for some holiday relaxation.

Of course, she’s not relaxing in this picture - she’s about to attack Ben Popper’s hand.

And to round it out (I know, I barely wrote anything this time) here are a couple pictures of family time after the Christmas madness was over.

Maud and mom at MoMA.

And Leila and Maud at the Koreans around the corner. They were buying… ice cream? Orange juice? I really can’t remember, but I like this picture of them, and it was good to have the girls back in town, even if it was just for a few days.

Further photo-ization on Flickr, as usual.