Category Archive for J-News
BACK TO TOKYO… & WISCONSIN? STRANGERS IN DANGER, FUEL TV & NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVEL ADVENTURE SHOW, JAPAN.
I’m going back to TOKYO! La Carmina & The Pirates have locked down a big new TV job (research, translation, arranging, hosting), from late July to August. But first, I’m tackling a travel hosting project… in Wisconsin? Details below, keep scrolling.
(I’m wearing t-shirts from our HOPE collection, with funds going to the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims. You can learn more and nab one here, thanks for your support.)
Naomi and I are the Tokyo fixers for Strangers in Danger, a ridiculous travel adventure show — starring BMX riders Zach “Catfish” Yankush, and Mike “Rooftop” Escamilla (perhaps you know him as Kat Von D’s roommate on LA Ink). The guys take on ridiculous and risky challenges in each country they visit, from deactivating Vietnamese landmines to biking Bolivia’s road of death.
We can’t reveal what we have planned for the Japan episode, but with Pirates involved… bring on the crazy! Strangers in Danger premieres September 6th on Fuel TV, and will be distributed internationally by National Geographic and Discovery Channel. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my appearance. (You can see my previous TV clips on my YouTube.)
This is my first return to Tokyo since the earthquake; I’m curious to see if/how things have changed. I’ll be sure to take plenty of photos for you, like these Sweet Lolita ones from the 2009 Gackt concert. (More pics and show review here).
But first, I’m headed to a place I’ve never been… Wisconsin, USA! Why? How? I can’t tell you yet, but it’s for a project involving travel, culture, and on-camera hosting. (Basil Farrow will miss me, as always…)
All in all, the TV work’s been coming along nicely. You can find out more about The Pirates on our site. In addition to film arranging and hosting, we also offer coolhunting, subculture consulting, and Japan brand connecting.
Coming up, more pop culture and fashion reports from Italy and Hong Kong… and the travels aren’t about to end. Seba and I are lining up several more sponsored trips this year. We’ll keep you posted on our whereabouts.
What type of Tokyo coverage would you like to see on my blog? Stores, concerts, people, events? To start, I have a zillion Tokyo Gothic Lolita Punk store photos from 2008-11.
PS: Would you kindly add my Facebook Page and give my site a thumbs up (click below)? Thanks you, Pirates! We couldn’t do any of this without you.
Song of the Day: Jack Off Jill – My Cat (“is amazing… he can play the guitar…”)
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MOLECULAR COCKTAILS AT HUSH HONG KONG. LAN KWAI FONG, COOL NEW BARS & CLUBS IN CENTRAL, COOLHUNTER BOOK.
Back to Hong Kong for a quick science lesson… involving hard liquor! I subjected myself to cocktail experiments at Hush, a mod bar in Lan Kwai Fong / Central, Hong Kong. Mixologist Gibson Chan specializes in molecular cocktails, using ingredients and techniques typically found only in labs.
In this new video, Gibson shows La Carmina how to make a deconstructed margharita, with a salty foam created with a fish tank pump. Then, he mixes a cocktail made with what looks like caviar — but what is it really? Watch the video to find out!
I was happy to learn that the strange-looking powders were actually made from natural ingredients. Each drink was a topsy-turvy experience — the flavors and textures turn the expected on its head. Sip a glow-in-the-dark cocktail at Hush, 2 Glenealy in Central, Hong Kong.
I also went to Ozone, the rooftop bar of the new Ritz Carlton Kowloon. My ears popped as the elevator shot up to the 118th floor. But it was worth it for the killer view of Hong Kong at night, with nothing overhead but the sky.
I know my life is confusing lately… so many travels and projects! I re-designed part of my website to reflect the changes. Here’s a breakdown of my current work:
† BLOGGING: I post near-daily about my underground fashion and travel adventures.
† TV HOSTING & COOLHUNTING: My Pirates business is currently in overdrive. We have our hands full with Tokyo TV jobs and subculture consulting (such as introducing Western buyers to Gothic Lolita Punk brands.)
† WRITING: In addition to my current columns, I’m writing for AOL Travel. My three J-pop books are also available here.
† FASHION DESIGNING: We just released the HOPE t-shirts to benefit Japan. You can see my previous clothing collections here and below.
These pages may also be helpful…
† BIO: A summary of my work, along with my TV show clips.
† PHOTOS: A gallery of my Goth-cute outfits and makeup.
† PRESS: Media mentions.
† CONTACT: Email me if you’re interested in sponsorships, advertorials, collaborations — or simply want to say hi! I try to reply to all messages, especially on my social networks.
Funny how I’ve become Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. There’s more international travel in the works, and major projects involving TV and fashion. Soon, all shall be revealed!
PS: I’m featured in a new Spanish book called Coolhunting Digital: A la caza de las ultimas tendencias. In the “Colaboradores” section, I’m photographed and interviewed about my work as a subculture/underground coolhunter.
I invite you to browse the new website pages; I hope they present a clearer picture of my work. And please enjoy my new video, where the Hush bartender walks us through molecular cocktail-making. There’s more fun food and bizarre theme restaurants on my YouTube channel (please subscribe).
Have you heard of molecular gastronomy before, or tried it? Do you consider it a mind-opening experience, or an overrated trend?
Song of the Day: Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science