On Acela at this very moment as we head towards Providence and then the gorgeous Connecticut shoreline.  Medium black Dunks, and my one annual “Old Fashioned” and in my right pocket a Golden.  So all is right in my little world.

One meeting after another looms.

Locanda Verde, followed by a kaiseki dinner at the James Beard House, and then, tomorrow, meetings at Balthazar and Mailino.

Did I mention Eataly?  Eataly.  The fresh agnoletti there are lovely, the Piedmontese style beef from Montana delicious, and the Neapolitan pizzas?  First rate.

The meetings are in preparation for the upcoming Japan pieces.  Talk about change.

What a strange mix of militarism, religiosity, Chinese culture, and Western principles.  No wonder there is foment.